Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Marguerite Toland's 57% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 44% to 79% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City. In the most recent reporting period, her 40% approval rate is 25 points lower than the office average of 65%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Toland'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, Marguerite Toland has issued 2,236 decisions. After reaching a high of 66% in 2018 and 2025, the rate has seen variation, including a 40% approval rate in the most recent partial year of 2026. This pattern reflects the complexity of the cases heard and the evidence presented. The recent shift in the latest period may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Toland'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 Jersey City hearing office
Marguerite Toland's most recent office on record is Jersey City, with activity recorded through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 11 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 65%, providing a benchmark for the local administrative environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the judge you are assigned essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 79% 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
Marguerite Toland's 57% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 44% to 79% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Jersey City. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of the hearing process.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 50% in 2024 to a high of 66% in 2018 and 2025. With 2,236 decisions on record, these variations are common in SSDI hearings. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, the Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is a recommended step.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Marguerite Toland's 57% rate is one data point, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
