Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. John J. Porter maintains a 57% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 28% to 74% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office. These figures are based on a substantial volume of 2,916 decisions on record, providing a stable view of past trends. 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 Porter. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Porter'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, John J. Porter has issued 2,916 decisions on record. His approval rate has shown fluctuation over this period, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching a high of 64% in 2017. Recent data from 2024 shows an approval rate of 63% across a smaller volume of cases. This latest period reflects a continuation of a pattern that has remained active throughout his time on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Porter'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 Pittsburgh hearing office
John J. Porter's most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office, which serves you across Pennsylvania. This office is supported by a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Pittsburgh hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 74%. Of these, 7 judges decided cases here in the SSA's latest file. 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
John J. Porter has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016. This places him within the 28% to 74% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this judge's specific bench.
His approval rate has fluctuated over the years, with 2,916 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate has moved between 49% and 64% during different years, it remains a reflection of past case outcomes. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns may relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
The 57% approval rate on record since 2016 describes John J. Porter's past decisions, not a guarantee for your future hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of the SSA.
