Approval rates
Evaluating your judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 62% approval rate for Maria T. Mandry is based on 3,692 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 34% to 89% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando, this figure helps establish a baseline for the office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mandry. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mandry'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 trend for Maria T. Mandry has fluctuated over the years, starting at 70% in 2016 and moving through a period of change before reaching 66% in 2025. With 3,692 total decisions on record since 2016, the data reflects a history of case outcomes. The recent period shows a shift in the approval pattern compared to the lower rates observed in 2021 and 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mandry'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 Orlando hearing office
Maria T. Mandry's most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, which serves you across central Florida. This office is part of a region with a high volume of disability claims, and the bench consists of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where your evidence quality is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 89%. This variance highlights why understanding the bench at your hearing office is useful.
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
Maria T. Mandry has an approval rate of 62% based on 3,692 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 34% to 89% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Maria T. Mandry has fluctuated, beginning at 70% in 2016 and reaching 66% in 2025. These variations are common as case types and evidence standards evolve over time. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you feel more prepared for the questions you will face.
The 62% approval rate for Maria T. Mandry represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most critical factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you review your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
