Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate for Christine McCafferty covers all decisions on record since 2016, which provides a view of past activity. This figure sits within the 42% to 78% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McCafferty. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McCafferty'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 Christine McCafferty has fluctuated over the 2,807 decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 43% in 2016, the rate reached 57% in 2023 and was 55% in 2025. This trend shows periods of varying approval, reflecting the nature of the cases reviewed.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McCafferty'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 Philadelphia hearing office
Christine McCafferty's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, which serves the surrounding region of Pennsylvania. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process governed by 20 CFR Part 404.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 78% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Christine McCafferty has a 49% approval rate across 2,807 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the 42% to 78% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Christine McCafferty has varied over time, ranging from a low of 42% in 2017 to a high of 57% in 2023. These fluctuations are based on 2,807 total decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. 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 hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability standards. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
