Approval rates
The approval rate for Randy Riley is based on 2,986 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Harrisburg hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 17% to 86% for the same period. This range highlights the variance in decision-making patterns among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Riley. 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 Riley'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, the approval rate for Randy Riley has fluctuated. After an initial period, the rate declined to 30% in 2021 before reaching 47% in 2023. This trend across 2,986 decisions on record suggests that the approach to case evidence has evolved over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Riley'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 Harrisburg hearing office
Randy Riley's most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office, with records through September 2024. This office serves you in Pennsylvania and is staffed by a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 17% to 86%, understanding the local context is helpful.
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
Randy Riley has an approval rate of 37% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 17% to 86% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Randy Riley has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 30% in 2021 to 47% in 2023. These shifts are based on a total of 2,986 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards for approval.
