Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent data windows. While Matthew G. Levin maintains a 44% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate of 39% sits 18 percentage points below the current 57% average for the Manchester office. These figures are based on 3,582 lifetime decisions, providing a statistically significant look at his history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 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
Matthew G. Levin's approval record has shown notable fluctuations since 2016. After reaching a peak of 52% in 2024, the approval rate has trended to 39% in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure represents a departure from his historical average, potentially reflecting changes in case complexity or evidence standards. Understanding these shifts is a critical part of building a case that meets the specific evidentiary requirements of his courtroom.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Manchester hearing office
The Manchester hearing office serves claimants throughout New Hampshire and the surrounding region. With a bench of 11 judges on record, the office maintains an overall latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can see the Manchester Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. The Manchester office includes 11 judges on record since 2016, 6 of whom reported data in the latest period. Lifetime approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 86%. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Matthew G. Levin's 44% lifetime approval rate falls within the broader office range of 26% to 86%. In the most recent reporting period, his 39% approval rate is 18 percentage points lower than the 57% office average. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to address these specific bench tendencies.
Yes, the data shows a variable trend. While his approval rate reached 52% in 2024, it has since adjusted to 39% in the most recent period. Working with an experienced attorney can help you ensure your medical documentation is as strong as possible regardless of these fluctuations.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot request a specific judge, which is why it is essential to be prepared for any judge assigned to your case.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA disability requirements. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.