Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 48% approval rate for Susan F. Zapf reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 32% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Peoria. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims. 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 Zapf. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Zapf'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 Susan F. Zapf has remained relatively steady throughout the period from January 2016 to September 2021. With 2,300 decisions on record, the data shows annual fluctuations, such as a low of 46% in 2016 and 2018, and a high of 51% in 2017 and 2020. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zapf'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 Peoria hearing office
Susan F. Zapf's most recent office on record is the Peoria hearing office, with decisions there through September 2021. This office serves the surrounding region of Illinois and maintains a bench of 8 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria. Approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 68% for records 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
Susan F. Zapf has an approval rate of 48% based on 2,300 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 68% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Susan F. Zapf has held relatively steady over the years, with annual rates fluctuating between 46% and 51% since 2016. This consistency suggests a stable decision-making pattern. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Susan F. Zapf will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and strengthen your evidence before the hearing.
