Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods. While your judge's overall approval rate on record since 2017 is 42%, recent data shows a 63% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 14 percentage points above the Pittsburgh office average of 49%. These statistics are derived from a volume of 2,965 decisions on record since 2017.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hostovich's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval trend for Julianne Hostovich has shifted over the 2,965 decisions on record since January 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2021 and 2022, the data shows an upward trend in recent years. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 63%, which represents a divergence from the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hostovich's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Pittsburgh hearing office
Julianne Hostovich's most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With a bench of 13 judges, the office maintains its own specific operational rhythm and approval patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 28% to 74% based on their records since 2016.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
During the latest reporting period, Judge Hostovich maintained a 63% approval rate, which is 14 percentage points higher than the 49% average for the Pittsburgh hearing office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 2,965 decisions on record since 2017. After reaching a low of 27% in 2022, the rate has trended upward, reaching 59% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Judge Hostovich will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
