Approval rates
The 50% approval rate for Jane M. Maccione reflects her entire record since 2016, which compares to the 23% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton. This docket size provides a stable view of past performance. 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 Maccione. 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 Maccione'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 Jane M. Maccione has shown variation since 2016. After a high of 74% in 2017, the rate trended to 40% in 2019 before beginning a recovery, reaching 56% by 2022. With 1,975 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over the six-year window. The recent trend suggests a departure from the lower rates observed in 2019.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Maccione'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 Stockton hearing office
The Stockton hearing office serves the Central Valley region of California. It is home to a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your claim. You can see the Stockton Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton, with approval rates ranging from 23% to 82%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Jane M. Maccione has an approval rate of 50% on her record since 2016. This sits within the 23% to 82% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated. It peaked at 74% in 2017 and reached a low of 40% in 2019, before rising to 56% in 2022. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Regardless of your judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case for the hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
