Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data windows to ensure accuracy. The 47% approval rate for Sharon Zanotto reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 17% to 86% range observed among the bench at the Harrisburg office. With 1,732 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Zanotto. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Zanotto'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 Sharon Zanotto has shown a downward trend since 2016. After reaching a high of 61% in 2017, the annual approval rate gradually declined, reaching 33% in the 2024 data. This pattern is based on 1,732 total decisions on record. The recent shift in the approval rate may reflect changes in case mix or the specific evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zanotto'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg Hearing Office serves you if you are in the region and is part of the broader SSA network. This office includes 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision. You can see the Harrisburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg Hearing Office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 86% since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Sharon Zanotto has an approval rate of 47% across 1,732 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 86% range of approval rates for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Sharon Zanotto has trended downward from a peak of 61% in 2017 to 33% in the 2024 data. These figures are based on 1,732 decisions on record since 2016. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Because the process is complex, an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Sharon Zanotto has a 47% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
