Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their peers. The 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 30% to 78% based on their records since 2016. With 1,414 decisions on record, Marilyn S. Mauer's 58% approval rate provides a stable baseline for understanding her past activity. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your claim.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mauer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mauer'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, Marilyn S. Mauer has maintained a consistent approval pattern across her 1,414 decisions on record. Her yearly approval rates remained steady, moving from 57% in 2016 to 60% in 2017, 58% in 2018, 59% in 2019, and 57% in 2020. This indicates a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed period. The consistency in these figures suggests a steady pattern in how evidence is weighed across her docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mauer'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 Tacoma hearing office
Marilyn S. Mauer's most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves the Washington region and has a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. If you are a claimant at this office, you can expect a standard hearing process governed by Social Security Administration regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% on their since-2016 records. While these figures provide context for the office, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific claim. The preparation required for your hearing remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Marilyn S. Mauer has an approval rate of 58% across 1,414 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma hearing office, who collectively show approval rates between 30% and 78%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Marilyn S. Mauer's approval rate has remained steady over the years. She recorded a 57% approval rate in 2016 and a 57% rate in 2020, with minor fluctuations in between. This consistency suggests a stable decision-making pattern, though every case is unique and an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of the judge's history.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on the quality of your medical evidence, which an attorney can help you organize.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Marilyn S. Mauer has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
