Approval rates
Susan Maley has a 53% approval rate across 1,011 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the broader range of 29% to 85% observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office. 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 Maley. 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 Maley'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 Susan Maley was 59% in 2016 and 2017, 44% in 2018, and 49% in 2019. These 1,011 decisions on record since 2016 provide a view of how the judge's decision-making has shifted over time. This pattern suggests that case outcomes can fluctuate based on the specific evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Maley'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 Washington hearing office
Susan Maley's most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves the District of Columbia region and maintains a bench of 33 judges. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Washington
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, understanding the general environment of the office is helpful.
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
Susan Maley has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 29% to 85% range seen among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Susan Maley was 59% in 2016 and 2017, 44% in 2018, and 49% in 2019. These 1,011 decisions on record since 2016 show a shift in outcomes over time. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and often a vocational or medical expert appear before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 53% approval rate for Susan Maley represents past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to determine the best strategy for your hearing.
