Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 55% approval rate for Erin Powers since 2023 is best understood alongside the 32% to 80% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. In the most recent reporting period, Erin Powers maintained a 60% approval rate, which is 5 points higher than the office average of 55%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation.
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 Powers'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 January 2023, the approval rate for Erin Powers has shown a steady upward trend. After starting at 53% in 2023 and 52% in 2024, the rate rose to 56% in 2025 and reached 60% during the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance indicates a shift compared to the earlier period on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Powers'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 Johnstown hearing office
Erin Powers's most recent office on record is the Johnstown hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 55%. You can see the Johnstown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Johnstown office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 80% on their respective records.
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
Erin Powers has an approval rate of 55% since 2023. This sits within the 32% to 80% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Erin Powers has trended upward. It moved from 53% in 2023 to 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Erin Powers has a 55% approval rate since 2023, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and ensure your documentation is complete.
