Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Stacy Zimmerman has a 49% approval rate on record since December 2017, her latest-period approval rate is 56%. This latest figure sits 3 percentage points below the Orange office average of 59%. With 3,097 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past patterns. 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 Zimmerman'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 trend for Stacy Zimmerman has shown an upward trajectory since 2017. After starting with a 46% approval rate in 2018, the figures fluctuated before rising to reach 59% in 2025. The latest period shows an adjustment to 56%, which remains higher than the long-term average. This recent pattern reflects a shift in the volume of favorable outcomes compared to the start of your record window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zimmerman'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 Orange hearing office
Stacy Zimmerman's most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the California region and maintains a bench of 12 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period is 59%, providing a benchmark for the local docket.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orange
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 19% to 68% on their 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
Stacy Zimmerman has an approval rate of 49% on record since December 2017. This sits within the broader bench range of 19% to 68% for the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Orange. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Stacy Zimmerman has trended upward over time. While the rate was 46% in 2018, it reached 59% in 2025 before settling at 56% in the most recent period. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions 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 does not predict the outcome of your individual hearing. Stacy Zimmerman's 49% rate since 2017 is one piece of context, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
