Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires comparing their performance against the broader bench. Elizabeth A. Motta's 46% approval rate is based on 905 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 46% to 69% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office. 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 Motta. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Motta'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 trend for Elizabeth A. Motta shows a shift over the recorded window of January 2016 through September 2018. After maintaining approval rates of 48% in 2016 and 49% in 2017, the data shows a decline to 28% in 2018. With 905 total decisions on record, these variations highlight how case mix and evidence quality can influence outcomes over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Motta'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 Dayton hearing office
Elizabeth A. Motta's most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical documentation remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dayton
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 46% to 69% on their since-2016 records. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the bench's overall activity can help you prepare.
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
Elizabeth A. Motta has an approval rate of 46% based on 905 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge at the lower end of the 46% to 69% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dayton hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. After recording approval rates of 48% in 2016 and 49% in 2017, the rate for the 130 decisions on record in 2018 was 28%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Elizabeth A. Motta has an approval rate of 46% since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you build a comprehensive case file to improve your chances of a favorable decision.
