Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to understand how a judge performs relative to their peers. While Penny Wilkov has an approval rate of 41% since 2016, recent data shows a 49% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure sits 3 percentage points below the San Antonio office average of 52%, 7 points below the Texas state average, and 9 points below the national average. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Wilkov'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 May 2016, Penny Wilkov has issued 3,449 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates moving from 37% in 2016 to 49% in the most recent partial fiscal year. The latest period reflects a continuation of a gradual upward trend observed over the last several years. These patterns provide insight into historical decision-making, though your case remains unique based on the specific evidence you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wilkov'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 San Antonio hearing office
Penny Wilkov's most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 23 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 52%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, 17 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 18% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains 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
Penny Wilkov's 41% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 18% to 70% range established by the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with the standards at this office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 37% in 2016 and reaching 49% in the latest partial fiscal year. These shifts reflect the evolving nature of the docket and case mix. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your symptoms limit your daily activities. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions effectively.
The approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Penny Wilkov will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you present. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a strong case.
