Long Island has a 75% allowance rate, which is high for a hearing office. While the wait time has risen to 9.5 months, this window provides a critical opportunity to organize your medical records and prepare for testimony. Because your outcome depends on the evidence you present, an attorney can help you refine your file before your hearing date to leverage this office's favorable environment.
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Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
With a 9.5-month wait, you have a substantial runway to strengthen your file before you appear before an ALJ. Your hearing will typically involve answering questions about your limitations and daily activities. A vocational expert will often testify regarding whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental restrictions. You must submit all updated medical records well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is restricted. Bring your identification and a list of your current medications, including any side effects that impact your ability to work. Because the panel here is consistent, your success rests on how clearly your medical records support your testimony.
The Judges at This Office
The panel at this office is consistent, with allowance rates clustering between 67% and 87%. Because the judges here operate within a narrow band, you are unlikely to see extreme swings in outcomes based on random assignment. While this consistency is helpful, each judge still weighs evidence differently, and your file must be robust enough to meet the burden of proof regardless of who is assigned to your case.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
Even at an office with a 75% allowance rate, cases often fail because the claimant cannot effectively counter the vocational expert's testimony. A 9.5-month wait is a period to pressure-test your medical evidence against the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration. Identifying gaps in your record and preparing for the questions an ALJ will ask is a standard part of the hearing preparation process.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy as you prepare for your hearing at 730 Federal Plaza in Central Islip.
Most Favorable Judges
Central Islip, NY
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronald L. Waldman | 84% | 71% | 16,109 | |
| 2 | Brian J. Crawley | 81% | 79% | 26,518 | |
| 3 | Joseph R. Faraguna | 81% | 69% | 14,352 | |
| 4 | Linda A. Stagno | 77% | 75% | 11,500 | |
| 5 | David Tobias | 69% | 76% | 27,629 | |
| 6 | Andrew S. Weiss | 68% | 63% | 26,503 | |
| 7 | Alan B. Berkowitz | 66% | 62% | 26,901 | |
| 8 | Michelle I. Allen | 64% | 64% | 15,397 | |
| 9 | Patrick Kilgannon | 61% | 68% | 22,974 | |
| 10 | Scott R. Tirrell | 57% | 61% | 20,154 |
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37 — analysis of SSA ALJ adult disability decisions, FY 2007–2015. Applicants with a lawyer got approved at a rate nearly three times higher than those without. Individual case outcomes vary based on medical evidence, the specific judge, and quality of representation. Checking whether you qualify for a free benefits review takes 2 minutes.
Wait Time Trend
Average months from hearing request to decision — last 16 months
Nearest SSA Field Offices
Where to apply or check on your claim in person
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Content
Statistics come from SSA's Office of Hearings Operations reports and publicly available judge decision data. Approval rates count both full and partial approvals. Wait times reflect the average from hearing request to decision.