Approval rates
The approval rate for Marissa A. Pizzuto is based on 2,227 lifetime decisions, providing a view of her record since 2016. Within the New York hearing office, judges show a wide variance in their lifetime approval rates, ranging from 36% to 81%. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than a guarantee of future outcomes. 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 Pizzuto. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pizzuto'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, Marissa A. Pizzuto has maintained an 81% approval rate over 2,227 lifetime decisions. Her annual approval trends have remained steady, with yearly fluctuations common in high-volume dockets. While the rate has shifted between 72% and 89% over the years, the overall pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. The most recent data reflects a continuation of this established decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pizzuto'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office serves a diverse population across the region. With 15 judges on record since 2016, this office manages a high volume of claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome. You can see the New York Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Marissa A. Pizzuto is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at the New York office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 36% to 81%. 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
Marissa A. Pizzuto has an 81% lifetime approval rate, which is at the high end of the 36% to 81% range seen among the 15 judges on record at the New York office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the standards of this specific bench.
The approval rate for Marissa A. Pizzuto has remained generally steady over her 2,227 lifetime decisions since 2016. While yearly rates have fluctuated, the long-term pattern shows a consistent approach to disability claims. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of recent trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ by having a strong, evidence-based claim. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter.
An 81% lifetime approval rate for Marissa A. Pizzuto describes her past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.