Approval rates
The 54% approval rate for George C. Yatron is measured against a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, where individual approval rates range from 45% to 82%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided in this office since 2016.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Yatron. 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 Yatron'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 George C. Yatron across 2,402 decisions on record since 2016 shows a varied trend. After an approval rate of 56% in 2016, the figures were 60% in 2017, 50% in 2018, 53% in 2019, and 46% in 2020.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Yatron'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 Elkins Park hearing office
The Elkins Park hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality and medical documentation are the primary factors in any decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, with individual approval rates ranging from 45% to 82%. Because assignment is outside of your control, understanding the general environment of the office is more useful than focusing on a single judge.
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
George C. Yatron has an approval rate of 54% based on 2,402 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of the specific judge assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for George C. Yatron has fluctuated, starting at 56% in 2016 and ending at 46% in 2020. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your medical records are clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.
