Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, with a median of 67% and a range between 49% and 85%. Because outcomes vary across the panel, the specific judge assigned to your case can influence the process. Since cases are assigned randomly, your best strategy is to build a robust, evidence-backed file that stands up to scrutiny regardless of who presides.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Leventer | 85% | 4,173 | |
| 2 | Margaret L. Pecoraro | 80% | 3,593 | |
| 3 | Marilyn P. Hoppenfeld | 74% | 73 | |
| 4 | Jay L. Cohen | 68% | 1,256 | |
| 5 | Margaret A. Donaghy | 67% | 1,489 | |
| 6 | Michael D. Cofresi | 67% | 66 | |
| 7 | Sandra M. McKenna | 65% | 2,821 | |
| 8 | Robert R. Schriver | 65% | 2,572 | |
| 9 | Valorie Stefanelli | 62% | 2,941 | |
| 10 | Michael J. Stacchini | 60% | 3,297 | |
| 11 | Michael Friedman | 49% | 1,306 |
How long you'll wait
At Queens, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 10 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 10-month wait, you have a significant window to strengthen your file before your hearing. Start by gathering all updated medical records, specifically those detailing your functional limitations, as these are the primary evidence an ALJ will weigh. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and any side effects from your medications. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a vocational expert will likely testify regarding your ability to perform work. Because the panel shows a moderate spread in approval rates, your evidence must be clear and comprehensive. Ensure all documents are submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A final decision will arrive by mail in the weeks following your appearance.
With a 10-month wait, you have time to pressure-test your file against the specific standards of the Queens panel. Even in an office with a 76% approval rate, cases often fail because they lack the specific medical documentation required to counter a vocational expert's testimony. A professional review of your file can help you identify and fill these gaps before you step into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Queens, 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 average wait for a hearing at the Queens office is 10 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, which provides you with additional time to work with an attorney to strengthen your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare your case during this period.
Hearings are assigned to judges randomly. Because there is a moderate spread in approval rates across the panel, which judge you draw can be a factor in your case. An attorney can help you prepare a file that is strong enough to succeed regardless of the judge assigned.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if there is a documented conflict of interest, you may be able to request a change. It is more effective to focus on building a comprehensive case that addresses the requirements of any judge on the panel, and an attorney can help you navigate these procedural rules.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is the most critical point in your SSDI claim. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to be approved, as an attorney can navigate the complexities of the hearing and cross-examine the vocational expert to help you succeed.
