Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires comparing their performance against the broader bench. Elving L. Torres has an approval rate of 40% on record since 2016, which sits within the 35% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO. These figures rely on 2,451 decisions on record, providing a statistically significant sample size. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Torres. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Torres'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 Elving L. Torres has shown variation across the 2,451 decisions on record since January 2016. After reaching 39% in 2016, the rate was 45% in 2017, 43% in 2018, 39% in 2019, 37% in 2020, 37% in 2021, and 30% in 2022. This pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over the period covered by the data.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Torres'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 St Petersburg Fl OHO hearing office
The St Petersburg FL OHO serves claimants across Florida and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the St Petersburg FL OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Petersburg Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO, with approval rates ranging from 35% to 85%. Because assignment is outside of your control, preparation is the most effective way to manage your hearing.
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
Elving L. Torres has an approval rate of 40% on record since 2016. This falls within the 35% to 85% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Elving L. Torres has fluctuated. While the rate was 39% in 2016, it reached 45% in 2017 before trending to 30% in 2022. An attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is essential. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and present your case effectively.
The 40% approval rate for Elving L. Torres represents past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you review your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
