Approval rates
Understanding your judge's history helps you prepare for your hearing. The data shows how Janet McEneaney compares to the broader bench at the New York Varick office, where approval rates for judges range from 48% to 85% based on their records since 2016. With 1,480 decisions on record, this judge's history provides a clear look at past outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McEneaney. 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 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
Since 2016, Janet McEneaney has maintained a consistent approval pattern across 1,480 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, starting at 57% in 2016 and reaching 70% in 2023. This data reflects a steady approach to case evaluation over the seven-year window.
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
Janet McEneaney's most recent office on record is the New York Varick Hearing Office. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges with varying approval rates. 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. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Varick office, and their approval rates vary from 48% to 85%.
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
Judge McEneaney has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2016. This places her within the range of 48% to 85% seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Varick office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Judge McEneaney's approval rate has shown variation over time, ranging from 57% in 2016 to 70% in 2023 across 1,480 decisions. This trend suggests a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your case, an attorney can help you review your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from vocational or medical experts. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability benefits. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Judge McEneaney has approved 64% of cases on record since 2016, your individual success depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.
