With a wide allowance-rate spread across the panel—ranging from 34% to 86%—which judge you draw in New York matters significantly to your outcome. While the office's 60% allowance rate is typical for SSDI hearings, the 10-month wait time is currently trending upward. Because the panel is so diverse, your best strategy is to build a medical record that is bulletproof regardless of who presides. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this office.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
With a 10-month wait, you have a critical window to refine your evidence before you sit before an ALJ. Your hearing will typically involve the judge reviewing your file and hearing testimony from a Vocational Expert regarding your ability to perform work. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists with side-effect documentation, and daily-activity logs well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. Because the judges at this office weigh evidence differently, your prep should focus on filling any gaps in your medical history that could be exploited during questioning. A clear, consistent narrative of your limitations is your strongest asset when you finally step into the hearing room.
The Judges at This Office
The 14 ALJs at this office demonstrate a wide spread in outcomes, with allowance rates ranging from 34% to 86%. This variation means that random assignment plays a major role in your case, as each judge interprets the Social Security Administration guidelines through their own lens. Because the median allowance rate sits at 61%, your file must be robust enough to withstand scrutiny from any judge on the panel.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
When a panel's allowance rates span over 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. The 10-month wait time is a preparation runway that allows you to pressure-test your evidence against the specific standards of the New York panel.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these office details handy as you finalize your preparations for your hearing at 26 Federal Plaza.
Most Favorable Judges
New York, NY
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marissa A. Pizzuto | 82% | 69% | 18,472 | |
| 2 | Joani Sedaca | 81% | 64% | 21,431 | |
| 3 | Thomas Grabeel | 79% | 67% | 9,065 | |
| 4 | Lucian A. Vecchio | 78% | 81% | 17,626 | |
| 5 | Moises Penalver | 77% | 75% | 17,183 | |
| 6 | Gitel Reich | 75% | 64% | 16,834 | |
| 7 | Robert C. Dorf | 73% | 62% | 7,988 | |
| 8 | James Kearns | 64% | 66% | 11,910 | |
| 9 | Mark Hecht | 64% | 54% | 6,037 | |
| 10 | Ifeoma N. Iwuamadi | 60% | 36% | 23,552 | |
| 11 | Wallace Tannenbaum | 58% | 49% | 2,838 | |
| 12 | Lori Romeo | 55% | 27% | 17,241 | |
| 13 | Flor M. Suarez | 53% | 51% | 10,874 | |
| 14 | Michael Friedman | 50% | 43% | 10,966 | |
| 15 | Seth I. Grossman | 40% | 39% | 21,443 | |
| 16 | Mark Solomon | 37% | 24% | 26,531 |
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.