Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 36% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a long-term view, while the latest-period data allows for a direct comparison against the office, state, and national benchmarks. With 2,225 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past outcomes. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Molleur'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, your approval rate for John T. Molleur has fluctuated. While the rate reached 43% in 2019 and 2020, recent years have seen a return to a more moderate range, with 38% approval recorded in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This latest-period performance is 9 points lower than the office average of 47%. The current trend reflects a pattern where outcomes remain sensitive to the specific evidence you present in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Molleur'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 Haven hearing office
The New Haven hearing office is the most recent office on record for John T. Molleur as of July 2026. This office is part of a larger network of hearing locations where 8 judges have their most recent records. You face an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 47%. To learn more about the local bench, see the New Haven hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show an approval-rate range of 36% to 58% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
John T. Molleur has a 36% approval rate on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 36% to 58% range seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for John T. Molleur has varied over time, starting at 37% in 2016 and reaching 38% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases being heard. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New Haven hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have a strong, well-documented case prepared by an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you ensure your medical records are properly presented to meet the judge's standards.
The 36% approval rate on record since 2016 for John T. Molleur is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary needs of this judge.
