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This page shows the disability approval rate of every Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ) at the Livonia MI hearing office, using official SSA data for fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026. Use it to understand what to expect if your disability hearing has been assigned to one of these judges.

Livonia MI hearing office at a glance

  • Office approval rate: 57.9% (about the same as the national average of 57.6%)
  • Judges: 8 listed, 8 with decisions this period
  • Decisions issued: 3,022 (1,482 fully favorable, 269 partially favorable, 1,271 denials)
  • Total dispositions: 3,480 (including 458 dismissals)
  • SSA region: 05

The highest approval rate at this office belongs to Robert Chavez (71.3%); the lowest belongs to Lauren Burstein (39.2%).

Approval rate by judge

Sorted from highest to lowest approval rate. “Difference” compares the judge to the 57.6% national average. Rates for judges with fewer than 50 decisions are marked as a small sample and should be read with caution.

Judge Fully Favorable Partially Favorable Denials Decisions Approval Rate Difference Note
Robert Chavez 236 18 102 356 71.3% +13.7 pts
Donald D'Amato 271 26 153 450 66.0% +8.4 pts
David A Mason 85 47 83 215 61.4% +3.8 pts
Sarah R Smisek 230 25 169 424 60.1% +2.5 pts
Christopher Mattia 202 44 181 427 57.6% -0.0 pts
Anthony R. Smereka 196 42 182 420 56.7% -1.0 pts
Allison Dietz 168 41 215 424 49.3% -8.3 pts
Lauren Burstein 94 26 186 306 39.2% -18.4 pts

How to read these numbers

Approval rate = (fully favorable + partially favorable decisions) ÷ total decisions. A fully favorable decision grants benefits from the date the claimant requested; a partially favorable decision grants benefits but with a later onset date or other limitation. Dismissals (for example, when a claimant withdraws or misses the hearing) are not decisions on the merits and are excluded from the rate.

A judge’s past approval rate is not a prediction for any individual case. Outcomes depend primarily on the medical evidence, the claimant’s work history, and how well the case is prepared and presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is the approval rate at the Livonia MI Social Security hearing office?

In fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026, administrative law judges at the Livonia MI hearing office approved 57.9% of the cases they decided (1,482 fully favorable and 269 partially favorable out of 3,022 decisions). The national average is 57.6%.

Which judge at the Livonia MI hearing office has the highest approval rate?

Robert Chavez had the highest approval rate at 71.3% across 356 decisions.

How many judges work at the Livonia MI hearing office?

SSA lists 8 administrative law judges at the Livonia MI hearing office, 8 of whom issued decisions during the reporting period.

Where does this data come from?

All figures come from the Social Security Administration's public ALJ Disposition Data report, reporting period ending August 28, 2026. Approval rate is calculated as fully favorable plus partially favorable decisions divided by total decisions; dismissals are excluded.

Source: Social Security Administration, ALJ Disposition Data, reporting period ending August 28, 2026 (report generated 09/22/2026). SSA updates this dataset monthly. Last updated on this site: October 13, 2026.

  • Do You Have
    a Claim?

    Do not feel as though you have to go through this process on your own. Find out if you qualify to receive benefits now.

    About SSD Eligibility
  • Proud Advocates
    for the Disabled

    Your choice in advocacy could be instrumental to the success of your case. Don’t put your financial benefits at risk!

    How We Can Help You
  • No Fees
    Until We Win

    Our ultimate goal is to maximize your approval and minimize any complication. You pay no fees unless we win!

    Get Started Today

Social Security Disability
How Can We Help You?

  • Denied SSD Benefits
  • Disability Hearing
  • Application Process
  • Appealing a Claim
  • Medicaid / Medicare
  • Social Security Disability Benefits
  • Social Security Disability Insurance
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Child & Adult Child's Disability
  • Veterans Disability
  • SSD & SSI Myths

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