Approval rates
The approval rate for Dennis G. Katz is based on 2,103 decisions issued between 2016 and 2023. This volume provides a data set for evaluating historical decision patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Katz is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Katz isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Katz'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 rate for Dennis G. Katz has fluctuated over the period from 2016 through 2023. The data shows a rate of 53% in 2016, 58% in 2017, 59% in 2018, 63% in 2019, 62% in 2020, 64% in 2021, 59% in 2022, and 62% in 2023. These figures represent the 2,103 total decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Katz'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.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is White Plains
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is the White Plains hearing office. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Dennis G. Katz has an approval rate of 60% across 2,103 decisions on record since 2016. Because no judges are currently active in the latest SSA file for this office, no comparative range is available. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with the standards of the White Plains bench.
The approval rate for Dennis G. Katz has seen shifts over the years, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching 62% by 2023. These yearly fluctuations are based on a total of 2,103 decisions. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews the evidence in your file. You will typically answer questions about your medical condition and your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
The 60% approval rate for Dennis G. Katz reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors presented. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim and prepare for your hearing.
