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SSA Hearing Office

Pittsburgh, PA Hearing Office

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Most Favorable Judges

Pittsburgh, PA

1 de Leon, Alma S
Approval Rate
75%
Full Approval
64%
Total Decisions
11,063
2 Kozma, David J
Approval Rate
69%
Full Approval
59%
Total Decisions
900
3 Colligan, Michael F
Approval Rate
64%
Full Approval
54%
Total Decisions
2,186
4 Porter, John J
Approval Rate
57%
Full Approval
48%
Total Decisions
23,207
5 Ehasz, Sarah
Approval Rate
56%
Full Approval
47%
Total Decisions
24,498
6 Papazekos, Joanna
Approval Rate
56%
Full Approval
55%
Total Decisions
24,112
7 Kenworthy, William E
Approval Rate
55%
Full Approval
47%
Total Decisions
7,640
8 Brash, David F
Approval Rate
47%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
15,558
9 Bareford, Christian
Approval Rate
46%
Full Approval
39%
Total Decisions
24,532
10 Kovac, Paul
Approval Rate
44%
Full Approval
48%
Total Decisions
17,429
11 Kaczmarek, Michael S
Approval Rate
42%
Full Approval
35%
Total Decisions
18,260
12 Hostovich, Julianne
Approval Rate
41%
Full Approval
47%
Total Decisions
20,315
13 Perry- Dowdell, Leslie
Approval Rate
28%
Full Approval
14%
Total Decisions
26,034
Rank Judge Approval Rate Full Approval Total Decisions
1de Leon, Alma S 75% 64% 11,063
2Kozma, David J 69% 59% 900
3Colligan, Michael F 64% 54% 2,186
4Porter, John J 57% 48% 23,207
5Ehasz, Sarah 56% 47% 24,498
6Papazekos, Joanna 56% 55% 24,112
7Kenworthy, William E 55% 47% 7,640
8Brash, David F 47% 40% 15,558
9Bareford, Christian 46% 39% 24,532
10Kovac, Paul 44% 48% 17,429
11Kaczmarek, Michael S 42% 35% 18,260
12Hostovich, Julianne 41% 47% 20,315
13Perry- Dowdell, Leslie 28% 14% 26,034

Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer

SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own

WITHOUT A LAWYER
1×
baseline approval rate
Applicants without a lawyer
WITH A LAWYER
~3×
higher approval rate
Applicants with a lawyer
Check My Benefits

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

Wait (months)
0246810Jun '24Sep '25

Nearest SSA Field Offices

Where to apply or check on your claim in person

Allentown, PA
41 N 4TH ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18102
Altoona, PA
303 CAYUGA AVE, ALTOONA, PA 16602
Ambridge, PA
350 LOGAN LN, BADEN, PA 15005
Bethlehem, PA
3450 HIGH POINT BLVD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18017
Bloomsburg, PA
700 MARKET ST, BLOOMSBURG, PA 17815

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Only 33.8% of first-time SSDI applications get approved in Pennsylvania.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About This Data

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. Data is based on 2025-09-26 reports and may not reflect current conditions. This page is for informational purposes only.

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ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from the SSA. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys or accredited representatives in your area.