Who decides cases at this office
The 13 judges at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 51% to 73%. While the median rate of 60% suggests a balanced approach, each judge weighs evidence differently. Because cases are assigned randomly, your preparation must focus on creating a robust, objective medical record that can withstand scrutiny regardless of which judge presides over your session.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry Oliver | 82% | 8,706 | |
| 2 | James Garrett | 81% | 8,220 | |
| 3 | Eric Schwarz | 72% | 27,416 | |
| 4 | John F. Gehring | 69% | 10,284 | |
| 5 | Suanne S. Strauss | 67% | 8,056 | |
| 6 | Daniel L. Rubini | 66% | 6,657 | |
| 7 | Craig De Bernardis | 66% | 1,163 | |
| 8 | Vivian McAneney | 59% | 22,621 | |
| 9 | Brady Carter | 59% | 6,700 | |
| 10 | Jasper J. Bede | 59% | 8,067 | |
| 11 | Stuart Gauffreau | 58% | 26,691 | |
| 12 | Sandra Morales Price | 58% | 20,906 | |
| 13 | Elana Hollo | 58% | 24,737 | |
| 14 | Deborah Mande | 57% | 13,507 | |
| 15 | Kathleen McDade | 53% | 22,378 | |
| 16 | George C. Yatron | 52% | 19,903 | |
| 17 | Jennifer M. Lash | 52% | 23,959 | |
| 18 | Jennifer Spector | 51% | 27,215 | |
| 19 | Margaret M. Gabell | 51% | 26,202 | |
| 20 | Marc Silverman | 51% | 19,671 | |
| 21 | Luke Woltering | 50% | 25,337 | |
| 22 | Ryan Hoback | 49% | 13,916 | |
| 23 | Anne W. Chain | 48% | 7,844 | |
| 24 | Jay Marku | 46% | 14,869 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location but are not on the current roster. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Elkins Park, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically 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
Your hearing will likely last about an hour, during which an ALJ will review your claim. You should arrive with updated medical records that capture any changes in your condition since your initial denial. A Vocational Expert will often testify regarding the types of work available for someone with your specific physical or mental limitations. You have the right to question this expert to clarify how your symptoms prevent you from performing those jobs. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted.
With a panel allowance spread of 22 points, the difference between an approval and a denial often comes down to how effectively your evidence is presented. An attorney helps you anticipate the specific questions a Vocational Expert will ask, ensuring your daily-activity logs and medical documentation are consistent. This level of preparation is what often separates successful claims from those that fall short.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Elkins Park, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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.