Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. The 73% approval rate for M. Reeves is based on 1,517 decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 48% to 85% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches operate.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Reeves. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Reeves'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
The approval rate for M. Reeves fluctuated between January 2016 and September 2022. After starting with 82% approval in 2016 and 84% in 2017, the record shows 59% in 2018, 66% in 2019, 59% in 2020, 83% in 2021, and 88% in 2022. With 1,517 total decisions on record, these shifts highlight the importance of case-specific evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reeves'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 New York Varick hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. As of the most recent record in September 2022, this office maintained a bench of 10 judges. You can expect a standard administrative process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick
Social Security Administration cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick, with approval rates ranging from 48% to 85% on their since-2016 records. These statistics provide insight into the office's bench.
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
M. Reeves has an approval rate of 73% based on 1,517 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 48% to 85% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for M. Reeves has shown variance, starting at 82% in 2016 and reaching 88% in 2022, with lower periods in between. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your own claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on building a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 73% approval rate for M. Reeves is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a judge's decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
