Approval rates
The approval rate for Susannah Merritt is 49% across 2,091 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 44% to 71% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia East hearing office. These statistics provide a broad view of past judicial activity rather than a guarantee of future results. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Merritt. 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 Merritt'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, Susannah Merritt has presided over 2,091 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with approval rates reaching a high of 59% in 2020 before trending toward 49% in 2023. This pattern indicates that while your judge's approach has shifted over time, the latest period reflects a stabilization of these outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Merritt'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 East hearing office
Susannah Merritt's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia East hearing office, which serves you if you are in Pennsylvania. This office is part of a broader regional network, and its bench consists of 9 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia East hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 44% to 71% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance 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
Susannah Merritt has an approval rate of 49% on record since 2016. This places her within the 44% to 71% range of the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia East hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 2,091 decisions on record since 2016. After peaking at 59% in 2020, the rate shifted in subsequent years, settling at 49% in 2023. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might influence your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 49% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
