Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Carla Suffi's 60% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 41% to 82% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Carla Suffi approved 64% of cases, which is 10 percentage points higher than the 54% office-wide average. These figures rely on a substantial volume of decisions on record, providing a stable basis for analysis.
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 Suffi'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, Carla Suffi has maintained a consistent pattern across 3,730 decisions on record. Her approval rate has shown a gradual upward trend over the last decade, moving from 54% in 2016 to 64% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. While there is year-to-year fluctuation, the latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, with recent performance remaining notably above the local office average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Suffi'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 Chicago hearing office
Carla Suffi's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. This office is staffed by 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, and it maintains an office-wide approval rate of 54% for the latest reporting period. You can see the Chicago hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82% on their since-2016 records.
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
Carla Suffi's 60% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 41% to 82% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. In the latest reporting period, her 64% approval rate is 10 percentage points higher than the 54% average for the Chicago office. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific case strategy.
Yes, the data shows a gradual upward trend in her approval rate over the last decade. Starting at 54% in 2016, her approval rate has reached 64% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Chicago hearing office, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, working with an experienced attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will participate to clarify the details of your disability. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will encounter at your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Carla Suffi has a 60% approval rate since 2016, your individual outcome depends heavily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
