Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Tara J. Posner has a 61% approval rate since 2018, her most recent reporting period shows a 60% rate, which aligns with the Baltimore hearing office's latest-period benchmark. These figures are derived from 2,369 decisions on record, providing a look at past trends.
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 Posner'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, Tara J. Posner has issued 2,369 decisions on record. Her approval trend showed a peak in 2024 at 70% before shifting to 60% in the most recent fiscal year. This latest-period performance remains consistent with the broader office average. These patterns help illustrate how case outcomes have evolved over the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Posner'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves claimants across Maryland and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, with 8 of them having decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 79%.
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
Tara J. Posner's latest-period approval rate of 60% is in line with the Baltimore hearing office's latest-period average. While individual outcomes vary based on evidence, her recent decisions reflect the broader trends seen at this office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. After starting at 65% in 2018, the approval rate reached a high of 70% in 2024 before settling at 60% in the most recent period. These changes often reflect shifts in case mix or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to strengthen your case regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced representative. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 61% approval rate on record for Tara J. Posner is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. Every case is unique and depends heavily on the medical documentation and vocational evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
