Approval rates
The approval rate for Henry Oliver reflects his history of 1,028 decisions since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader office-wide lifetime range of 33% to 82% observed among the 25 judges on record at Elkins Park. This context helps you understand where his record sits relative to his peers.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Oliver. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Oliver'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
Henry Oliver has issued 1,028 decisions since 2016. His yearly approval trend shows a rate of 90% in 2016, 77% in 2017, 80% in 2018, and 76% in 2019. This pattern shows a consistent approach to your docket over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Oliver'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Elkins Park hearing office
The Elkins Park hearing office serves you throughout the Pennsylvania region. With 25 judges on record, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approaches to disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, providing a baseline for your local hearing environment.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 25 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 82% over their respective lifetime records.
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
Henry Oliver's lifetime approval rate of 82% sits at the high end of the 33% to 82% range observed among the 25 judges on record at the Elkins Park office. While his rate is high, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
Henry Oliver's approval rate was 90% in 2016, 77% in 2017, 80% in 2018, and 76% in 2019. This trend indicates a consistent approach to his docket over the 1,028 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Having an attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Henry Oliver has approved 82% of his 1,028 lifetime decisions, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific standards required for approval.