Who decides cases at this office
The 11 judges at this office show a wide spread in allowance rates, with outcomes varying significantly between a low of 46% and a high of 90%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each individual weighs evidence differently. This variation makes thorough file preparation essential, as your documentation must be clear enough to satisfy the requirements of any judge on the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Addison | 81% | 22,450 | |
| 2 | Sheena Barr | 78% | 21,512 | |
| 3 | Kevin Kenneally | 65% | 25,828 | |
| 4 | Gina Pantuso | 63% | 3,623 | |
| 5 | Jack Russak | 60% | 25,001 | |
| 6 | David Suna | 57% | 20,127 | |
| 7 | Marguerite Toland | 57% | 16,843 | |
| 8 | Trina Moore | 47% | 19,967 | |
| 9 | Dina R. Loewy | 44% | 16,638 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Jersey City, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
You have an 8-month wait before your hearing, which gives you time to ensure your medical record is complete. You must submit all updated medical records, including recent treatment notes and test results, well before your hearing date. During your hearing, you will testify about your limitations, and a vocational expert will likely provide testimony regarding your ability to perform work. Your preparation should include a detailed log of your daily activities and a list of medication side effects that impact your ability to work. Because the panel at this office shows wide variation in allowance rates, your evidence must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge presides.
When a panel's allowance rates span over 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to gaps in documentation. While this office has a high overall allowance rate, you may struggle to secure a favorable decision if you fail to anticipate the questions of the vocational expert. Preparing your testimony and medical evidence in advance helps you address the specific criteria for disability.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Jersey City, 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.