Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 55% approval rate for Andrew J. Soltes Jr. reflects his entire record since 2017, which you can compare against the 40% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. With 2,813 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of historical trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Soltes Jr.. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Soltes Jr.'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 Andrew J. Soltes Jr. has shown a varied trajectory across the 2,813 decisions on record since May 2017. After starting at 40% in 2017, the rate trended upward, reaching 66% in 2024 before settling at 60% in 2025. This pattern indicates a shift in decision outcomes over the last several years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, suggesting that the judge's approach has evolved within the context of the Albany office's workload.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Soltes Jr.'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 Albany hearing office
The Albany hearing office serves you across New York and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2025, this office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a standard hearing process where your evidence quality and medical documentation remain the primary factors in a favorable decision. You can see the Albany Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among these peers range from 40% to 81% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Andrew J. Soltes Jr. has an approval rate of 55% across 2,813 decisions on record since 2017. This sits within the 40% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to this specific judge.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time, moving from 40% in 2017 to 60% in 2025. These yearly shifts are common in SSDI hearings as case mixes and evidentiary standards evolve. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
The 55% approval rate for Andrew J. Soltes Jr. is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and testimony are the most important factors in your hearing. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
