Who decides cases at this office
The panel at this office consists of 13 judges, and outcomes vary significantly across the group. With approval rates ranging from 50% to 93%, which judge you draw can have a meaningful impact on your case. Because assignments are random, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louis G. McAfoos III | 93% | 1,210 | |
| 2 | Karen Patterson | 80% | 1,094 | |
| 3 | Kimberly Varillo | 77% | 2,830 | |
| 4 | Kenneth Bossong | 77% | 694 | |
| 5 | Kathleen Cornell | 76% | 1,006 | |
| 6 | Daniel N. Shellhamer | 74% | 1,889 | |
| 7 | Frederick Timm | 70% | 4,288 | |
| 8 | Lisa Hibner Olson | 68% | 1,983 | |
| 9 | Elizabeth A. Lardaro | 60% | 2,409 | |
| 10 | Nicholas Cerulli | 59% | 2,281 | |
| 11 | Lisa Hibner | 53% | 1,219 | |
| 12 | Tonya Green | 53% | 942 | |
| 13 | Nancy Lisewski | 50% | 2,380 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At South Jersey, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
Your hearing is a formal proceeding where you will sit before an ALJ to discuss your limitations. With a 9-month wait, you have a significant runway to ensure your medical records are updated and complete. Bring a list of your medications and their side effects, as well as a daily-activity log that details how your condition impacts your ability to work. The hearing typically lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, during which a vocational expert may testify about jobs that fit your specific restrictions. You can question this expert, which is often the most important part of the session. Evidence must be submitted well before the date, so avoid last-minute filings that could delay your decision.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Even in an office with a high 69% approval rate, the cases that fail often do so because they didn't anticipate the specific questions a vocational expert would ask. Preparing your evidence to address these specific vocational concerns is a standard part of building a successful case.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at South Jersey, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait time for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This duration has remained steady over the last year, providing a predictable timeline for you to work with an attorney to build your case.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 13 judges on the panel. Because approval rates vary widely among these judges, your best strategy is to ensure your medical evidence is comprehensive regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the SSA to ensure impartiality. However, an attorney can help you identify potential issues in your file that might be viewed differently by various judges on the panel.
While you are not required to have a lawyer, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you navigate the vocational expert testimony and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.