Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Michelle S. Marcus has a 69% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 40% to 81% range observed among the bench at this office. In the most recent reporting period, the 56% approval rate compares to the office-wide rate of 61%. These figures are based on 1,903 total decisions on record since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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
The approval trend for Michelle S. Marcus has fluctuated since 2016. With 1,903 decisions on record, the judge has maintained a consistent presence in the Albany office. While the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years saw approval rates of 77% and 78% respectively, the most recent partial data for 2026 shows a rate of 56%. This recent period reflects a shift from the higher rates seen in the preceding two years.
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
Michelle S. Marcus's most recent office on record is the Albany hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, supported by a bench of 15 judges who have recorded decisions here since 2016. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 61%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Albany Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 40% to 81% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance is the same 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 has a 69% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. While the judge maintained a 69% rate since 2016, yearly performance has varied, with recent data showing a 56% approval rate in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your functional limitations. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
