Approval rates
The 57% approval rate for Elizabeth M. Tafe is based on 330 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the broader range of 26% to 86% observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tafe. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Tafe'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 Elizabeth M. Tafe was 60% across 339 decisions in 2016 and 46% across 82 decisions in 2017. These figures represent the judge's activity on record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tafe'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 Manchester hearing office
The Manchester hearing office serves you in New Hampshire and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2017, this office was part of a network of hearing locations managed by the Social Security Administration. With 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you encounter a variety of judicial perspectives.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 26% to 86%.
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
Elizabeth M. Tafe has an approval rate of 57% based on 330 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 26% to 86% range of approval rates for the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The judge's approval rate was 60% in 2016 and 46% in 2017. These figures are based on the 330 decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how a judge will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present at your hearing.
