Approval rates
The approval rate for Gilbert A. Martinez is based on 1,255 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Salt Lake City hearing office, where peer judges range from 28% to 85% in their own since-2016 approval records. This range highlights the variance in decision patterns across the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Martinez. 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 Martinez'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 rate for Gilbert A. Martinez has shown a downward trend over the observed period from 2016 to 2019. Starting with a 44% approval rate in 2016, the rate reached 49% in 2017 before declining to 41% in 2018 and 34% in 2019. These 1,255 decisions on record since 2016 provide a clear view of the judge's historical pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martinez'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 Salt Lake City hearing office
Gilbert A. Martinez's most recent office on record is the Salt Lake City hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you if you are in the region, operating as part of the Social Security Administration hearing network. The bench consists of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Salt Lake City
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Salt Lake City hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Four of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026.
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
Gilbert A. Martinez has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 28% to 85% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Salt Lake City hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns for Gilbert A. Martinez. The rate moved from 44% in 2016 to 49% in 2017, followed by a decline to 34% by 2019. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
The 44% approval rate for Gilbert A. Martinez reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
