Approval rates
The 78% approval rate for Timothy Maher reflects performance across 476 decisions since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 32% to 83% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Maher. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Maher'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 pattern for Timothy Maher shows a consistent trend across recorded decisions from 2016 to 2018. Starting with a 77% approval rate in 2016, the figures were 75% in 2017 and 81% in 2018. With 476 total decisions on record, this data provides a clear view of the approach during that period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Maher'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 Miami hearing office
The Miami hearing office serves as a hub for Social Security disability hearings in Florida. The bench consists of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Miami hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Miami
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 83% 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
Timothy Maher has a 78% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 83% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Miami hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Timothy Maher maintained a consistent pattern during the time on record, with approval rates of 77% in 2016, 75% in 2017, and 81% in 2018. These figures are based on 476 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to available judges. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how a judge will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
