Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 69% approval rate for Meryl L. Lissek reflects her decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 20% to 73% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges approach the evidence in a claim.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lissek. 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 Lissek'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 2,268 decisions on record for Meryl L. Lissek since 2016 show a relatively steady approval pattern. After reaching a peak of 75% in 2020, the approval rate was 63% in 2021 and 66% in 2022. This trend suggests that while your judge's approach has remained consistent, the specific mix of cases or evidence quality in recent years may have influenced the outcome percentages.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lissek'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 Newark hearing office
Meryl L. Lissek's most recent office on record is the Newark hearing office, which serves you if you are in New Jersey. This office is part of a broader regional network, with 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark, and their approval rates on record since 2016 vary significantly, ranging from 20% to 73%. 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
With a 69% approval rate on record since 2016, Meryl L. Lissek sits within the 20% to 73% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Meryl L. Lissek has shown some fluctuation, moving from 68% in 2016 to a peak of 75% in 2020, before settling at 66% in 2022. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
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.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and medical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
The 69% approval rate for Meryl L. Lissek is a historical average, not a guarantee of how she will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA regulations. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
