Approval rates
The approval rate for Judge Mande is based on 1,558 lifetime decisions. When compared to the broader bench at the Elkins Park hearing office, where lifetime approval rates range from 33% to 82%, her record sits within the established local spectrum. This data helps you understand the environment of your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mande. 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 Mande'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
Judge Mande has maintained a consistent record since her data window opened in 2016. Her annual approval rates were 61% in 2016, 63% in 2017, 55% in 2018, and 56% in 2019. This trend reflects a steady approach to case evaluation over her 1,558 lifetime decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mande'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 Elkins Park hearing office
The Elkins Park hearing office serves you throughout the Pennsylvania region. With a bench of 25 judges on record, this office manages a significant volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence presented in your file. You can see the Elkins Park hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 25 judges on record at this office since 2016. Because approval rates across the office range from 33% to 82%, understanding the local bench 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
Judge Mande has a lifetime approval rate of 59%. This places her within the office-wide range of 33% to 82% seen among the 25 judges on record at the Elkins Park office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016. While she saw a rate of 63% in 2017, her rates in 2018 and 2019 were 55% and 56% respectively. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a complete picture of your condition.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.