Approval rates
The approval rate for Benita A. Lobo is based on 857 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Metairie hearing office, where judges range from 24% to 54% on their since-2016 records. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how cases are processed in this jurisdiction.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lobo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lobo'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 Benita A. Lobo has varied since 2016. With 857 total decisions on record, the yearly trend shows 45% approval in 2016, 41% in 2017, 9% in 2018, and 0% in 2019. This trend reflects the outcomes of cases assigned to your judge during those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lobo'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 Metairie hearing office
Benita A. Lobo's most recent office on record is the Metairie hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges who have records in our system since 2016. You can visit the Metairie hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Metairie hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 24% to 54% on their since-2016 records.
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
Judge Lobo has an approval rate of 41% across 857 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 24% to 54% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Lobo has fluctuated. While the rate was 45% in 2016, it shifted in subsequent years based on the 857 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge at the Metairie hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and your functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Judge Lobo's 41% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence is the most critical factor in your claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
