Albuquerque National Hearing Center, NMSSA Hearing Office

6 of these 12 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest disposition file (July 2026) and are ranked first, on the 12 months from July 26, 2025 to July 31, 2026. The other 6 have no decisions in SSA's data since the month shown and are listed after them, unranked, with every decision on record.

The six judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file maintain a tight approval range, with rates clustering around a 45% median. Because the panel's approval rates span only 15 points, outcomes do not swing drastically based on which judge you draw. However, each ALJ weighs evidence differently, and random assignment means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of the specific judge assigned.

At Albuquerque National Hearing Center, the average wait from hearing request to hearing held was 18 months as of June 2026, the latest month SSA has published for this office. The national average was 8.2 months as of July 2026. Here's how it has moved month by month over the 16 months through June 2026.

The 18-month wait as of June 2026 provides a long window to strengthen your file before you face an ALJ. Your prep should focus on updating your medical records to include any treatments or functional limitations documented since your initial denial. You will likely testify about your daily activities, while a vocational expert may provide testimony regarding your ability to perform past or alternative work. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision typically arrives by mail weeks after your hearing concludes.

The 18-month wait as of June 2026 is time you can use to build a record that anticipates the vocational expert's testimony. When a panel clusters tightly around a median, your success depends on the precision of your medical documentation. A professional review of your case can identify gaps that often lead to denials at the hearing stage.