Approval rates
Flor M. Suarez has an approval rate of 53% across 1,573 decisions on record since 2018. In the latest reporting period, the approval rate was 54%, which is 4 percentage points lower than the 58% average for the New York hearing office. These figures reflect past performance and do not guarantee an outcome for your hearing.
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 Suarez'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 2018, the approval rate for Flor M. Suarez has fluctuated, with 60% in 2018, 64% in 2019, 57% in 2020, 39% in 2021, 38% in 2022, 47% in 2023, 50% in 2024, 61% in 2025, and 54% in 2026. These variations reflect the specific evidence and circumstances of the cases heard each year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Suarez'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 58%. You can view the New York hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York hearing office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 36% to 81% 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
In the latest reporting period, Flor M. Suarez maintained a 54% approval rate, which is 4 percentage points lower than the 58% average for the New York hearing office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 1,573 decisions on record since 2018. After reaching a low of 38% in 2022, the rate increased to 61% in 2025 and was 54% for the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
