Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 40% approval rate for Howard Kauffman covers all decisions on record since 2016, while the latest-period data provides a snapshot of recent activity. Within the Harrisburg hearing office, the bench shows a wide range of approval rates from 17% to 86% since 2016. These figures offer context for the local environment, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting your individual outcome.
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 Kauffman'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 Howard Kauffman has remained relatively steady across the 4,035 decisions on record since January 2016. While annual fluctuations occurred, your judge maintained a consistent approach to case evaluation throughout this period. The latest-period approval rate of 43% aligns with the broader office average, suggesting that the recent trend reflects a continuation of this established pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kauffman'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg hearing office is the most recent office on record for Howard Kauffman as of July 2026. This office operates with a bench of 13 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 43%, providing a baseline for local hearing outcomes. You can see the Harrisburg hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 86% since 2016. Preparation remains essential 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
Howard Kauffman has an approval rate of 40% since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 17% to 86% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your judge's bench.
The approval rate for Howard Kauffman has remained steady over the years, with a 40% rate on record since 2016. While there are minor annual variations, your judge's decision pattern has not shown a significant upward or downward shift. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Howard Kauffman has a 40% approval rate since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim and prepare for your hearing.
