Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Janet McEneaney based on her total decisions since 2016. These figures represent 1,480 decisions, providing a view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
Judge McEneaney is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge McEneaney isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McEneaney'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
Janet McEneaney's record spans 1,480 decisions from 2016 through 2023. The annual approval rate fluctuated during this period, starting at 57% in 2016 and reaching 70% in 2023. This historical record provides context for the judge's activity through the end of her time at the New York Varick office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McEneaney'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 New York Varick hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office serves you in New York and the surrounding region. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can see the New York Varick Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Approval rates vary across the office's bench, with the 5 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 48% to 77% on their since-2016 records. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
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
Janet McEneaney's 64% approval rate on record through 2023 falls within the 48% to 77% range of the 5 judges who decided cases at this office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of the judge's historical rate.
Janet McEneaney's approval rate has varied over the years, moving from 57% in 2016 to 70% in 2023. These fluctuations reflect the outcomes of 1,480 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence fits into the hearing process.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case effectively for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your medical conditions and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case will be decided based on the unique medical and vocational evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
