Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 71% approval rate for John C. Tobin reflects his total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 32% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach office. This statistical range provides context for how different judges have historically approached cases at this location.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tobin. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Tobin'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
John C. Tobin's approval rate has shown variation since 2016, with a peak of 77% in 2018 and 2020 before shifting to 61% in 2021. The record includes 1,669 decisions, showing a steady volume of activity through 2023. While the rate fluctuated in recent years, the overall pattern remains consistent with a high-volume docket. These shifts often reflect changes in the specific types of medical evidence presented or evolving case mixes rather than a change in judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tobin'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 Long Beach hearing office
The Long Beach hearing office serves you if you are in the California region. This office has a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical evidence provided in your file. For more information, see the Long Beach Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Long Beach
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach office. Approval rates among these peers range from 32% to 76% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
John C. Tobin has an approval rate of 71% on his record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Long Beach office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
John C. Tobin's approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 69% in 2016 and reaching 77% in 2018 and 2020, before moving to 69% in 2023. These trends are based on 1,669 total decisions on record. Understanding these patterns is part of how an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready for your hearing.
