Approval rates
The 71% approval rate for Robert Wright reflects all 1,785 decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 40% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from a large volume of cases, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wright. 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 Wright'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 Robert Wright showed a steady trend from 2016 through 2018, with annual rates of 71%, 74%, and 76% respectively. Following this period, the data shows a decline, with the rate moving to 67% in 2019 and 55% in 2020. These 1,785 decisions on record since 2016 suggest that while the judge maintained a consistent approach for several years, the most recent period reflects a shift in the pattern of outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wright'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 Albany hearing office
The Albany hearing office serves you as part of the Social Security Administration's national network. This office includes a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albany hearing office, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 40% to 81%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the specific judge assigned to your hearing can be a factor in your case.
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
Robert Wright has a 71% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 81% range of approval rates for the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albany hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift over time. While the rate was 71% in 2016 and reached 76% in 2018, it moved to 67% in 2019 and 55% in 2020. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 71% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how Robert Wright will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
