Approval rates
The 75% approval rate for Gitel Reich reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 36% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. With 1,908 decisions on record, the data provides a view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Reich. 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 Reich'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 Gitel Reich showed movement across the 1,908 decisions on record since 2016. After a 61% approval rate in 2016, the figures rose to 80% in 2017, 81% in 2018, and 81% in 2019. The rate shifted to 73% in 2020 and 75% in 2021, before reaching 70% in 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Reich'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 hearing office
Gitel Reich's most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. This office is home to 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the New York hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 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
Gitel Reich has an approval rate of 75% based on 1,908 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. It started at 61% in 2016, reached 81% in 2019, and was 70% in 2022. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. It is your opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
The 75% approval rate on record for Gitel Reich is a summary of past decisions, 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. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
