Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 61% approval rate for Gina Pesaresi reflects her entire record since 2016, which we compare against the 44% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the same. This docket size provides a stable view of her historical decision-making patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pesaresi. The most recent period with decisions on record is April 26, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pesaresi'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 December 2016, Gina Pesaresi has issued 2,068 decisions. Her yearly approval trend has remained relatively steady, though it saw a notable increase in 2023 at 74% before adjusting to 64% in 2024. These fluctuations are common in SSDI dockets and often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented. The recent data indicates a return toward her long-term average after the 2023 peak.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pesaresi'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 Jersey City hearing office
The Jersey City hearing office serves claimants across New Jersey. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains a collaborative environment where each judge manages a distinct docket. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Jersey City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Jersey City hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 44% to 79% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, 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
Gina Pesaresi's 61% approval rate sits within the broader range of 44% to 79% observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this bench.
Her approval rate has shown some variance, moving from 57% in 2017 to a peak of 74% in 2023, before settling at 64% in 2024. These shifts are typical for high-volume dockets and do not necessarily indicate a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure fairness and efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a recommended strategy.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records, hears testimony from you, and may consult with vocational or medical experts. The goal is to determine if your impairment meets the Code of Federal Regulations requirements for disability. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you may face during this process.
The 61% approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
