Manchester Hearing Office - ALJ Approval Rates & Wait Times
New Hampshire · SSA Region 01
Approval Rate
56.7%
vs 57.6% national
Wait Time
8 months
vs 8.4 months national
Processing Time
275 days
avg days to decision
Cases Pending
2,131
awaiting hearing
ALJs
6
active judges
Manchester ALJ Approval Rates and Decision Statistics
Individual judge statistics for 12 months ending July 2026. Click any judge to see detailed performance data.
| Judge | Approval Rate | Denial Rate | Fully Favorable | Total Decisions | Dispositions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul G. Martin | 65.9% | 34.1% | 59.5% | 252 | 310 |
| Edward Malvey | 63.7% | 36.3% | 59.2% | 358 | 432 |
| Lisa Groeneveld Meijer | 60.7% | 39.3% | 50.5% | 455 | 533 |
| Tracy Lachance | 60.3% | 39.7% | 48.9% | 436 | 507 |
| Joshua Menard | 52% | 48% | 44.3% | 415 | 489 |
| Matthew Levin | 40.1% | 59.9% | 36.6% | 382 | 462 |
Former Judges at Manchester
These judges have no recorded decisions at Manchester in the 12 months ending July 2026. Figures below cover each judge's own last twelve reported months, ending in the month shown.
| Judge | Last Decisions Reported | Approval Rate | Total Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Malfa | October 2024 | 91.1% | 247 |
| Dory Sutker | August 2024 | 65.9% | 217 |
Approval rates here cover each judge's own trailing window ending in the month shown, so they are not directly comparable with the current roster above or with national figures.
About the Manchester Social Security Hearing Office
Manchester is a Social Security disability hearing office serving claimants in New Hampshire. Operating within SSA Region 01, the office has 6 ALJs who preside over disability appeals.
The office's average approval rate is 56.7%, which is near the national average of 57.6%. Being close to the national average suggests this office's case mix and decision patterns are broadly representative of the system as a whole. Judge approval rates at this office range from 40.1% to 65.9%, showing a moderate degree of variation across the bench.
The current average wait time for a hearing at this office is 8 months, which is comparable to the national average of 8.4 months. Once a hearing takes place, this office issues decisions in an average of 275 days. There are currently 2,131 cases pending at this office. That works out to approximately 355 pending cases per judge.
Across the judges at this office, the average fully favorable rate is 49.8%. A fully favorable decision means the claimant receives benefits from the onset date they requested, as opposed to a partially favorable decision which may award benefits from a later date.
How to Interpret Manchester Hearing Office Data
Manchester shows a moderate degree of variation across its bench, which is common among offices of this size. While all judges apply the same federal disability standards, differences in how they weigh medical evidence, vocational factors, and hearing testimony may contribute to varying outcomes.
With an average wait time of 8 months and 275 days average processing time, claimants at Manchester can expect a total timeline of roughly 17 months from hearing request to decision.
Judges at Manchester have collectively issued 2,298 decisions in the current fiscal year, averaging 383 decisions per judge. Individual caseloads range from 252 to 455 decisions, reflecting differences in hearing schedules and case complexity.
Manchester Hearing Office FAQ
How often are disability cases approved at Manchester?
Individual judges at this office have rates ranging from 40.1% to 65.9%. Of approved cases, the average fully favorable rate across judges at this office is 49.8%. The national average approval rate is 57.6%.
How many ALJs work at Manchester?
What is the average case processing time at Manchester?
From hearing request to decision, the total timeline at this office averages approximately 17 months. These wait time figures represent the latest available snapshot and may fluctuate as hearing volumes and judge availability change over time.
How is office data calculated?
How often do judges at Manchester issue fully favorable decisions?
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