Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Patrick Kilgannon's 62% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 48% to 83% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Island office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge maintained a 77% approval rate, which is 6 points higher than the office average of 71%.
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 Kilgannon'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 2016, your approval rate for Patrick Kilgannon has shown notable movement. After a period of relative stability between 2017 and 2024, the data shows a recent upward trend, with the approval rate reaching 77% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. This latest figure represents a departure from the long-term average of 62%. These shifts often reflect changes in the underlying case mix or the quality of evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kilgannon'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 Long Island hearing office
The Long Island hearing office is the most recent office on record for Patrick Kilgannon as of July 2026. This office is part of a larger network of hearing locations in New York, staffed by a bench of 12 judges. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical and vocational documentation.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Island
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Island office. Approval rates for this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 83% 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
Patrick Kilgannon's 62% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 48% to 83% range of the Long Island bench. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this judge's courtroom.
Yes, the data shows a trend of fluctuation, with a recent increase to 77% in the latest reporting period compared to the long-term average of 62%. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
The 62% approval rate on record is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you present your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for your hearing.
