Approval rates
Across 2,883 decisions on record since January 2016, the approval rate is 62%. This sits within the 44% to 71% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your specific hearing.
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 Wishnoff'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 Howard Wishnoff has fluctuated since 2016, ranging from a low of 55% in 2016 and 2020 to a high of 72% in 2025 and 2026. In the most recent reporting period, the approval rate was 72%, which is 21 percentage points higher than the Philadelphia East office average of 51%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wishnoff'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 Philadelphia East hearing office
Howard Wishnoff's most recent office on record is Philadelphia East, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 51%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East
The Social Security Administration assigns your case randomly. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. Across their records since 2016, these judges maintain approval rates ranging from 44% to 71%.
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
Judge Wishnoff has an approval rate of 62% on his record since 2016. This places him within the 44% to 71% range seen among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific nuances of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has varied over the last decade, reaching 72% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 62% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and evidence quality is the primary driver of a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
