Approval rates
The 74% approval rate for Dennis M. Matulewicz reflects all 3,564 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 44% to 74% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Matulewicz. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Matulewicz'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 Dennis M. Matulewicz has shifted across 3,564 decisions on record since 2016. After fluctuating between 2016 and 2021, the data shows an upward trend in recent years, with approval rates reaching 83% in 2022 and 85% in 2023. This recent pattern reflects a change in the composition of cases or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Matulewicz'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 Livonia MI hearing office
Dennis M. Matulewicz's most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office, with decisions there through September 2023. This office serves the Michigan region and is staffed by 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the documentation of your disability.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 74% on their since-2016 records. Because the bench is diverse, your preparation should focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Dennis M. Matulewicz has an approval rate of 74% based on 3,564 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge at the higher end of the 44% to 74% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Dennis M. Matulewicz has evolved over time. While the rate was 72% in 2016, it reached 85% by 2023. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case for any judge you are assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. While Dennis M. Matulewicz has a 74% approval rate since 2016, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
