Approval rates
The 50% approval rate for Robert Long reflects all 1,825 decisions on record since 2017, which sits within the 42% to 83% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN. This data provides a baseline for understanding how different judges approach their dockets. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Long. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Long'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 Robert Long has shifted since 2017, moving from 53% in the first year of the record to 47% by 2021. This trend is based on 1,825 decisions on record, providing a view of the judge's activity over that period. The figures reflect the long-term trend observed across the judge's time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Long'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 Valparaiso IN hearing office
Robert Long's most recent office on record is the Valparaiso IN hearing office, which serves you and other claimants across the region. This office features a bench of 11 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality remains the primary factor in any decision. You can see the Valparaiso IN Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 83%. This variation highlights why understanding the bench at your hearing office is important.
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
Robert Long has a 50% approval rate across 1,825 decisions on record since 2017. This falls within the 42% to 83% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Valparaiso IN. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might influence your hearing strategy.
The approval rate for Robert Long has moved from 53% in 2017 to 47% in 2021. This trend is based on a total of 1,825 decisions on record. If you are concerned about how this trend impacts your claim, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of any judge you may draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert Long has approved 50% of cases on record since 2017, your individual outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file before your hearing date.
