Approval rates
The 34% approval rate for Alisa M. Tapia reflects all decisions on record since 2016. Among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tallahassee FL OHO, approval rates range from 34% to 77%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tapia. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Tapia'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
Your approval rate has fluctuated across the 1,138 decisions on record since 2016. You approved 46% of cases in 2017, 28% in 2018, 36% in 2019, 36% in 2020, and 28% in 2021. This pattern reflects your approach to evidence and case requirements over the observed window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tapia'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 Tallahassee Fl OHO hearing office
Alisa M. Tapia's most recent office on record is the Tallahassee FL OHO. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. If you appear at this office, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tallahassee Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 77% on their since-2016 records. Because individual judges have different approaches to evaluating medical evidence, the specific judge assigned to your hearing can influence the process.
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
Alisa M. Tapia has an approval rate of 34% based on 1,138 decisions on record since 2016. Other judges whose most recent office on record is this one have approval rates ranging from 34% to 77%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Your approval rate has shown variation, starting at 46% in 2017 and reaching 28% by 2021. This trend indicates your approach to case evaluation over the recorded period. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
The 34% approval rate for Alisa M. Tapia is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
