Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While you see a 65% approval rate on record since 2017, the latest-period data shows a 72% approval rate, which sits 4 points below the 76% office average for the same period. These figures are derived from a significant volume of 2,572 decisions, providing a stable baseline for analysis. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Schriver'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 trend for Robert R. Schriver shows notable movement across the 2,572 decisions on record since December 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2021, you can see a distinct rise in favorable outcomes starting in 2022 and 2023. While the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate of 72% remains strong, it reflects a slight shift from the 77% peak observed in 2025. This recent pattern suggests a period of relative stability following the earlier fluctuations in case outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schriver'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 Queens hearing office
The most recent office on record for Robert R. Schriver is the Queens hearing office, which serves the New York region. This office hosts a bench of 11 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period is 76%, reflecting the broader environment in which your hearing occurs.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Queens
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 49% to 85% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Robert R. Schriver maintains a 65% approval rate on record since 2017. This sits within the 49% to 85% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific hearing strategy.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. After reaching a low of 55% in 2019, the rate trended upward, reaching 77% in 2025 and 72% in the 2026 fiscal year-to-date. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 65% approval rate on record for Robert R. Schriver is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
