Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 43% approval rate for Linda E. Kupersmith reflects all decisions on record since January 2016. This figure sits within the 32% to 83% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kupersmith. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kupersmith'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 Linda E. Kupersmith is based on 61 decisions on record since January 2016. During this period, the data shows a consistent pattern of 43% approval. Because this record covers a specific window ending in September 2016, it provides a stable view of past activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kupersmith'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 Miami hearing office
Linda E. Kupersmith's most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you in Florida and is part of a broader regional network. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench maintains a diverse range of approval outcomes.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Miami
The Social Security Administration uses 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 Miami hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 83% since 2016. Of these, 8 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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
Linda E. Kupersmith has a 43% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 83% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The data for Linda E. Kupersmith covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the approval rate remained steady at 43%. Because this is the extent of the available record, there are no fluctuations to report beyond this window. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence fits into this pattern.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you navigate the assignment process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present to the judge.
