Approval rates
The 67% approval rate for Suanne S. Strauss reflects her decisions since 2016, which can be measured against the 45% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Strauss. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Strauss'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 926 decisions on record for Suanne S. Strauss since 2016 show a gradual shift in approval rates over time. In 2016, the approval rate was 69% over 538 decisions, 67% in 2017 over 571 decisions, and 62% in 2018 over 109 decisions. These figures reflect the judge's historical activity during that specific window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Strauss'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 Elkins Park hearing office
Suanne S. Strauss's most recent office on record is the Elkins Park hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office maintains a bench of 24 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where medical documentation is the primary factor in the decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is selected randomly. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, and their approval rates since 2016 vary, ranging from 45% to 82%.
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
Suanne S. Strauss has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016. This places her within the 45% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The data shows a 67% approval rate for Suanne S. Strauss across 926 decisions since 2016. Her annual approval rates were 69% in 2016, 67% in 2017, and 62% in 2018. 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 uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are historical statistics and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Suanne S. Strauss has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the quality of evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
