Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office cluster around a median approval rate of 68%, but with a moderate spread across the panel. Because individual judges weigh evidence differently, the judge you draw can influence the tone and focus of your hearing. This variation is why your file must be thoroughly documented before you enter the hearing room, ensuring your claim is strong enough to succeed regardless of which ALJ is assigned to your case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronald L. Waldman | 83% | 2,162 | |
| 2 | Joseph R. Faraguna | 81% | 1,882 | |
| 3 | Brian J. Crawley | 80% | 3,569 | |
| 4 | Linda A. Stagno | 77% | 1,834 | |
| 5 | David Tobias | 69% | 3,717 | |
| 6 | Andrew S. Weiss | 68% | 3,540 | |
| 7 | Alan B. Berkowitz | 67% | 3,992 | |
| 8 | Michelle I. Allen | 65% | 2,232 | |
| 9 | Patrick Kilgannon | 62% | 3,415 | |
| 10 | Scott R. Tirrell | 58% | 3,148 | |
| 11 | April M. Wexler | 52% | 1,823 | |
| 12 | John Antonowicz | 48% | 4,417 |
How long you'll wait
At Long Island, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8.2 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
With a 9-month wait, you have a critical window to ensure your medical file is complete. You must submit all updated records, including recent test results and doctor notes, well before the hearing deadline. Expect your hearing to last about an hour, where you will sit with an ALJ and likely a vocational expert who will testify about job availability. Bring a list of your medications and their side effects, as these often impact your ability to sustain full-time work. A clear, honest log of your daily limitations is often the most persuasive evidence you can provide.
With a 71% approval rate, Long Island is a favorable environment for well-prepared claimants, but the 35-point spread in judge outcomes means there is no room for error. An attorney who understands the nuances of this panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical evidence is presented in a way that aligns with SSA standards. Use your remaining wait time to have a professional evaluate your file for gaps.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Long Island, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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 current average wait for a hearing at this office is 9 months, which is higher than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you navigate this wait time.
ALJ assignments are made randomly. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates among the 12 judges associated with this office, an attorney can help you prepare your case to be robust enough to succeed with any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you review the specific evidence in your file to ensure it is tailored to address the judge's typical areas of focus.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is complex and involves vocational experts who testify against your ability to work. An attorney can help you challenge this testimony and present your medical evidence effectively.
