Approval rates
The approval rate for Nancy Lisewski is 50% based on 2,380 lifetime decisions. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at the South Jersey hearing office, where lifetime approval rates among judges range from 50% to 93%. Because the SSA assigns cases through a randomized workload-balancing algorithm, your specific hearing outcome depends on the unique evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lisewski. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lisewski'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, the decision record for Nancy Lisewski shows a varied trend. After hovering near 50% in the early years of the data window, the approval rate reached 60% in 2021 before shifting to 43% in 2022. This fluctuation across 2,380 total decisions suggests that while the judge maintains a consistent baseline, recent periods have seen shifts in outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lisewski'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 South Jersey hearing office
The South Jersey hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, acting as a hub for disability adjudications in New Jersey. With a bench of 13 judges on record, the office manages a volume of hearings designed to evaluate medical and vocational evidence. You can expect a formal proceeding where the focus remains on objective documentation of your limitations.
Other judges at this hearing office
The South Jersey hearing office currently operates with 13 judges on record since 2016, 8 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Because cases are assigned randomly, you have no control over which judge hears your claim. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 50% to 93% over their respective careers.
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
Nancy Lisewski has a lifetime approval rate of 50% across 2,380 decisions. This places her at the lower end of the lifetime approval range for the 13 judges on record at the South Jersey office, which spans from 50% to 93%. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a fluctuating pattern. While the rate was 50% in 2016, it reached 60% in 2021 before moving to 43% in 2022. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot pick your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you organize your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding. You, your attorney, the judge, and often a vocational expert will discuss your work history and medical limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your testimony and evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in any decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths in light of Nancy Lisewski's record.