Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 50% approval rate for Susan L. Torres reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 17% to 86% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office. This range highlights the variance in outcomes across the local bench.
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 25, 2020. 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 Susan L. Torres fluctuated between 2016 and 2020. After an approval rate of 46% in 2016, the figures rose to 53% in 2017 and 55% in 2018, before trending to 47% in 2019 and 46% in 2020. With 1,721 total decisions on record, these shifts reflect how your case outcome depends on the specific evidence and case mix presented during your hearing.
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 Harrisburg hearing office
Susan L. Torres's most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office, where the last recorded decision occurred in September 2020. This office serves you throughout the Pennsylvania region and maintains a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 86% across their individual records since 2016. Because each judge maintains a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the specific judge assigned to your hearing can influence your outcome.
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
Susan L. Torres has an approval rate of 50% across 1,721 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 86% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Susan L. Torres has seen variance, starting at 46% in 2016 and reaching 55% in 2018 before settling at 46% in 2020. These fluctuations are based on 1,721 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. 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 an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Susan L. Torres has a 50% rate on record, your individual result depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case before you appear.
