Approval rates
The approval rates for Gloria Pellegrino are based on 2,614 decisions on record since January 2018. When comparing these figures to the broader bench at the San Francisco hearing office, where judges range from 28% to 65% in approval rates, the data provides a statistical baseline. In the latest reporting period, Gloria Pellegrino recorded a 59% approval rate, compared to a 46% rate for the office overall.
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 Pellegrino'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 2018, Gloria Pellegrino has presided over 2,614 decisions. Her approval rate has fluctuated, showing an upward trend from 2019 through 2023 before stabilizing. The latest reporting period shows a 59% approval rate, which is consistent with her performance in 2025. This pattern reflects her established decision-making tendencies over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pellegrino'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 San Francisco hearing office
The San Francisco hearing office is the most recent office on record for Gloria Pellegrino as of July 2026. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges who manage a diverse caseload of disability claims. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 46%, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. These judges show an approval-rate range of 28% to 65% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains 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
Gloria Pellegrino has an approval rate of 56% on record since 2018. This sits within the 28% to 65% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Gloria Pellegrino has shifted over time, moving from 46% in 2018 to 71% in 2023, before settling at 59% in the latest reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
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 you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history by the judge and potentially a vocational expert. Having an attorney by your side can help you navigate these questions and present your evidence effectively.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Gloria Pellegrino will rule on your specific claim. While the 56% rate on record since 2018 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to put your best case forward.
