Approval rates
The approval rates for Marilyn S. Mauer reflect a consistent history of decision-making within the Tacoma hearing office. By comparing her 58% lifetime approval rate against the broader office-wide range of 30% to 78%, you can better understand the local judicial landscape. These figures are derived from 1,414 lifetime decisions, providing a view of her record that is independent of your specific medical circumstances.
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, the record for Marilyn S. Mauer shows a steady approach to disability adjudication. Her approval rate has remained consistent, with yearly fluctuations staying within a narrow band throughout her 1,414 lifetime decisions. This stability suggests a predictable application of Social Security Administration standards rather than sharp shifts in case outcomes.
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
The Tacoma hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for disability reviews in Washington. With a bench of 18 judges on record, the office maintains a consistent workflow to manage the volume of local hearings. The office-wide latest approval rate is 58%, reflecting the broader environment in which your case will be heard.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates spanning from 30% to 78%. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the hearing room, understanding the office-wide bench is a helpful part of your preparation.
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 a lifetime approval rate of 58%, which sits within the 30% to 78% range observed across the 18 judges on record at the Tacoma hearing office. While her rate is a useful benchmark, every case is unique; an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Marilyn S. Mauer has remained steady throughout her record of 1,414 lifetime decisions starting in 2016. Her yearly trends show minimal variance, suggesting a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. 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 hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. While Marilyn S. Mauer has a 58% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your specific hearing.