Approval rates
The approval rates for Paul G. Martin reflect a significant volume of work, providing a statistical baseline for your review. In the latest reporting period, the 69% approval rate sits 12 points above the Manchester office average of 57%. These comparisons are based on the most recent data to ensure accuracy. 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 Martin'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 September 2016, Paul G. Martin has issued 2,232 decisions. The yearly trend shows a pattern of approvals with fluctuations between 55% and 69% over the last decade. The most recent reporting period shows a 69% approval rate, which is an increase compared to the long-term average. This recent data reflects the judge's current activity in the Manchester office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martin'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 Manchester hearing office
Paul G. Martin's most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the New Hampshire region and maintains a bench of 11 judges. The office-wide latest approval rate is 57%, providing a benchmark for the local judicial environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester office, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 86% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains 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
In the latest reporting period, Paul G. Martin's 69% approval rate is 12 points higher than the Manchester office average of 57%. While this indicates a higher rate of favorable decisions recently, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidence requirements of this judge's bench.
Paul G. Martin has maintained a consistent approval rate since 2016, with a long-term average of 62% across 2,232 decisions. While yearly fluctuations occur, such as the 69% rate in the most recent period, the overall pattern remains stable. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific 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 by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Paul G. Martin has a 62% approval rate since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
