Approval rates
The approval rates for Margaret L. Pecoraro reflect a consistent history of decision-making at the Queens hearing office. Her lifetime approval rate of 80% sits within the office-wide range of 49% to 85% observed among the 11 judges on record. In the most recent reporting period, her 84% approval rate compares favorably to the office-wide rate of 76%. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of 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 Pecoraro'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, Margaret L. Pecoraro has maintained a steady approval pattern across 3,593 lifetime decisions. Her annual approval rates have fluctuated between a low of 75% in 2021 and a high of 86% in 2024. The most recent data shows an approval rate of 84%, which remains consistent with her long-term performance. This trend indicates a stable approach to evaluating your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pecoraro'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 Queens hearing office
The Queens hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the New York region. With 11 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 76%, providing a baseline for the local administrative environment. You can visit the Queens Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Across the 11 judges on record at the Queens hearing office, lifetime approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 49% to 85%. While 6 of these judges are currently reported in the latest SSA data, the variance across the bench highlights the importance of thorough preparation. Your preparation strategy 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
Margaret L. Pecoraro has a lifetime approval rate of 80%, which is at the higher end of the 49% to 85% range seen among the 11 judges at the Queens hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with the standards of this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Margaret L. Pecoraro has seen shifts, ranging from 75% in 2021 to 86% in 2024. These variations often reflect changes in case volume or the complexity of evidence presented. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Queens hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your 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 records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a compelling case that meets the necessary legal criteria.