Approval rates
Understanding your judge's past decisions can provide helpful context as you prepare for your hearing. The 66% approval rate for Daniel L. Rubini is based on 825 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Rubini. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Rubini'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 Daniel L. Rubini has remained relatively steady throughout his time on record since 2016. After an initial 69% approval rate in 2016, the figures fluctuated slightly before returning to 68% in 2019. With 825 total decisions on record, this pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rubini'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 Elkins Park hearing office
The Elkins Park hearing office serves you in the Pennsylvania region. With 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse volume of disability cases. You can see the Elkins Park hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 45% to 82%. You can find more information about the office on the Elkins Park hearing office page.
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
Daniel L. Rubini has an approval rate of 66% based on 825 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 45% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing before this specific judge.
The approval rate for Daniel L. Rubini has remained steady, moving from 69% in 2016 to 68% in 2019. This consistency across 825 decisions suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare your evidence is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any ALJ. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a judge's decision. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
