Approval rates
Judge Zirlin’s approval metrics are derived from a substantial docket of 3,107 lifetime decisions. When compared to the latest reporting period, her approval rate stands 20 points above the Long Beach Hearing Office average and 14 points above the national average of 58%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding historical decision-making tendencies. 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 Zirlin'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
Over her 3-year tenure, Judge Zirlin has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability adjudication. Her yearly approval trends show a peak of 78% in 2017, followed by a shift to 67% in 2018. This fluctuation highlights how case mix and evolving medical evidence can influence annual outcomes. The data suggests a stable pattern of review that prioritizes detailed documentation throughout your hearing process.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Zirlin'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.
Hearing with Judge Zirlin? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Long Beach hearing office
The Long Beach Hearing Office serves a diverse population across Southern California, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an environment where case complexity often dictates the pace of proceedings. You can expect a rigorous review process focused on the intersection of medical evidence and Social Security Administration regulations. You can visit the Long Beach Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Within the Long Beach Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 29% to 72%. Because of this variance, understanding the broader office environment is as important as reviewing your specific judge's history. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.