Approval rates
The following table compares the approval rate of Matthew G. Levin against the office, state, and national averages over the 12 months to July 31, 2026. With 3,582 total decisions on record since 2016, these figures provide a statistical view of how his recent decisions align with broader trends.
SSA publishes no office- or national-level breakdown of fully favorable and denial rates. The 12 months are SSA's figures for this fiscal year to date plus the rest of the previous fiscal year; how we calculate them.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Levin'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, Matthew G. Levin has issued 3,582 decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated over this period, reaching 52% in 2024 before shifting to 39% in 2026. The most recent 12-month approval rate of 40% is below his 44% average across the entire record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Levin'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 Manchester hearing office
The Manchester hearing office is the most recent office on record for Matthew G. Levin, with his last recorded decision there in July 2026. The office's approval rate was 57% over the 12 months to July 31, 2026. You can view the Manchester hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 6 judges who decided cases at the Manchester hearing office in SSA's latest file, approval rates range from 40% to 66% over the 12 months to July 31, 2026. You can find more information on the Manchester hearing office page.
Judges with similar approval rates
These active judges' approval rates over the same 12 months (July 26, 2025 – July 31, 2026) are closest to Judge Levin's 40%. No other judge in New Hampshire is within 5 points, so these come from SSA's Boston region and other regions.
- 41% Approval rate, last 12 months Michael Hellman
- 38% Approval rate, last 12 months John T. Molleur
- 40% Approval rate, last 12 months Kim A. Fields
- 40% Approval rate, last 12 months Stacy Appleton
- 40% Approval rate, last 12 months Brock Cima
Rates within 5 points of each other are hard to tell apart at a typical caseload, so treat these as judges with comparable records, not a ranking. See Judge Levin and the three closest side by side →
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
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2026, the 40% approval rate of Matthew G. Levin sits at the lower end of the 40% to 66% range observed among the 6 judges at the Manchester office who decided cases in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate of Matthew G. Levin has varied throughout his time on record since 2016, reaching a high of 52% in 2024. His current 12-month rate of 40% is lower than his 44% average across all 3,582 decisions on record since 2016. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and your physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney by your side can help you present your evidence clearly and effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the evidence you provide is the most important factor in a disability determination. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.
