Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 53% approval rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, the latest-period approval rate of 60% shows how recent decisions compare to the Peoria office average of 58%. With 4,292 decisions on record, the data offers a clear look at how this bench has performed over the last decade.
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 Schwartz'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 Robert H. Schwartz has shown a positive trend in recent years. After fluctuating between 46% and 56% during the 2016 to 2023 period, the rate climbed to 59% in 2024 and reached 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This latest-period performance sits slightly above the office, state, and national averages.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schwartz'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 Peoria hearing office
The Peoria hearing office serves you and other claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. As of July 2026, this office remains the most recent office on record for Robert H. Schwartz. With 8 judges on the bench, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 58%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this group range from 32% to 68% 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
Robert H. Schwartz has an approval rate of 53% on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 32% to 68% seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the rate has trended upward in recent years. After starting at 49% in 2016, the rate reached 60% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you review your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 53% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and vocational factors are the primary drivers of a successful claim. An attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with the requirements for SSDI.
