Approval rates
Evaluating your judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 39% to 80% approval range among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento provides a benchmark for understanding how individual outcomes may vary. With a docket of 3,226 decisions on record since 2016, the data offers a stable view of past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Spalo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Spalo'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 2016, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated. After reaching 65% in 2019, the rate saw a decline in 2021 before stabilizing at 60% over 99 decisions in 2024. This pattern reflects a shift toward a more moderate trend compared to the volatility seen in previous years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Spalo'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 Sacramento hearing office
William Spalo's most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, with activity through September 2024. This office is part of a larger network of hearing locations where judges manage diverse caseloads. You can see the Sacramento Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento, and their approval rates vary from 39% to 80%. This variation underscores the importance of focusing on the merits of your own claim.
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
William Spalo's 58% approval rate sits within the range of 39% to 80% observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 53% in 2016 and reaching a high of 65% in 2019 before settling at 60% in 2024. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your medical records effectively for this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards required for a favorable outcome.
The 58% 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 evidence you provide is the most critical factor in your success. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
