Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The judge's 60% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 49% to 85% range of the other judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens office. In the latest reporting period, your judge's 62% approval rate compares to the office-wide rate of 76%, the state rate of 62%, and the national rate of 58%. These figures provide a statistical foundation for understanding the judge's recent 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 Stacchini'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 Michael J. Stacchini has varied across the 3,297 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of fluctuation, the rate has remained steady, with the latest period showing a 62% approval rate. This latest figure is consistent with the judge's long-term average on record, suggesting that the judge's approach to evaluating evidence has remained stable.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stacchini'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 Queens hearing office is the judge's most recent office on record as of July 2026. It maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 76%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Queens
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens office. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 49% to 85% on their records since 2016.
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
Judge Stacchini has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 49% to 85% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The judge's approval rate has fluctuated over the years but has remained steady, with a 62% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This is consistent with the 60% average observed across 3,297 decisions on record since 2016. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Judge Stacchini has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.
