Approval rates
Tova Wolking's 64% approval rate since 2023 is evaluated against the 51% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Tova Wolking maintained a 67% approval rate, which is 6 points above the office average of 61%. These figures rely on a docket of 679 decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Wolking'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 January 2023, Tova Wolking has issued 679 decisions. The yearly trend shows approval rates of 68% in 2023, 63% in 2024, 61% in 2025, and 67% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This pattern shows that annual approval rates shift, and the latest period reflects a continuation of this activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wolking'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 Jose hearing office
The San Jose hearing office serves claimants in California. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an average latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can expect an administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 51% to 78% on their records. Preparation remains consistent 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
Tova Wolking's 67% approval rate in the latest reporting period is 6 points higher than the 61% average for the San Jose hearing office. Your specific case outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Tova Wolking's approval rate has shifted from 68% in 2023 to 61% in 2025, before reaching 67% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These variations often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by having a strong case file. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Tova Wolking's 64% rate since 2023 is one data point, but the success of your claim primarily depends on your medical documentation. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
