Approval rates
The approval rates for Michelle S. Marcus reflect a substantial body of work, providing a stable view of her decision history. When comparing her latest-period performance to the broader Albany office, she currently tracks 5 points lower than the office-wide latest-period average of 61%. These figures are derived from 1,903 lifetime decisions, ensuring a statistically significant sample size. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Marcus'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
Since 2016, your approval record for Michelle S. Marcus has shown notable fluctuations, moving from 68% in 2016 to a peak of 78% in 2024 before shifting to 56% in the most recent period. With 1,903 total decisions on record, the data indicates a judge who has navigated various shifts in case volume and complexity. The recent decline in the approval rate reflects the evolving nature of the current docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Marcus'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 Albany hearing office
The Albany hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for SSDI hearings in New York. With 15 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Albany hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Albany hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. This office features 15 judges on record since 2016, with 8 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. The lifetime approval rates across this bench range from 41% to 81%, highlighting the diversity of decision patterns you might encounter. The guidance for your preparation 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
Michelle S. Marcus maintains a lifetime approval rate of 69% across 1,903 decisions. While her latest-period approval rate of 56% is 5 points lower than the Albany office average of 61%, she remains one of several judges handling the local docket. An attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Michelle S. Marcus has varied over her time on the bench since 2016. After reaching a high of 78% in 2024, the most recent data from 2026 shows an approval rate of 56%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might influence the presentation of your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency across the Albany office. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your limitations and past job duties. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. While Michelle S. Marcus has a lifetime approval rate of 69%, every case is decided based on its own unique evidence and legal merits. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific standards required for approval.