Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While Francine A. Serafin has a 46% approval rate on record since 2017, her latest-period approval rate is 55%. This latest figure sits 7 points below the Charleston WV office average of 62% and 3 points below the national average of 58%. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable baseline for understanding past activity.
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 Serafin'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 December 2017, Francine A. Serafin has issued 3,318 decisions. Her yearly approval trend has fluctuated, showing a low of 36% in 2023 and a rise to 55% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. This latest period reflects a departure from her long-term average, indicating a shift in recent case outcomes. Understanding this pattern helps you prepare for the variables that may influence your specific hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Serafin'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 Charleston WV hearing office
The Charleston WV hearing office serves you throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region. As of the most recent office on record in July 2026, the office maintains a bench of 9 judges with a latest-period approval rate of 62%. You can expect a formal administrative process where evidence quality is the primary driver of success.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charleston WV
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charleston WV office. Approval rates across this bench range from 39% to 78% 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
Francine A. Serafin's latest-period approval rate of 55% is 7 points lower than the 62% average for the Charleston WV office. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, her approval rate has varied over time. After reaching 52% in 2022, it dipped to 36% in 2023 before rising to 55% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and limitations. Having an attorney can help you ensure your medical records are complete and your testimony is clear.
The 46% approval rate on record for Francine A. Serafin since 2017 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your hearing. Your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors in your file. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
