Approval rates
Kevin Kenneally's 65% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 44% to 79% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jersey City Hearing Office. In the most recent reporting period, his 64% approval rate compares closely to the office-wide rate of 65%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment.
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 Kenneally'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
Since September 2016, Kevin Kenneally has issued 3,805 decisions. His approval rate has shown a steady pattern over the last decade, with yearly fluctuations that reflect the complexities of individual case evidence. While he reached a peak of 70% in 2023, the most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a rate of 64%. This latest period reflects a continuation of his established decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kenneally'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 Jersey City hearing office
The Jersey City Hearing Office serves claimants across New Jersey. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can see the Jersey City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jersey City Hearing Office, and 10 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 79% 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
Kevin Kenneally's 65% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 44% to 79% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jersey City Hearing Office. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards often seen in this office.
Kevin Kenneally has maintained a steady approval pattern over his 3,805 decisions on record since September 2016. While annual rates have fluctuated between 58% and 70%, his recent performance remains consistent with his long-term average. 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. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
