St Petersburg FL Oho Hearing Office - ALJ Approval Rates & Wait Times
Florida · SSA Region 04
Approval Rate
62.4%
vs 57.6% national
Wait Time
8 months
vs 8.4 months national
Processing Time
223 days
avg days to decision
Cases Pending
2,104
awaiting hearing
ALJs
5
active judges
St Petersburg FL Oho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Scully Hayes | 100% | N/A | 100% | 3 | 3 |
| Christopher Messina | 71.6% | 28.4% | 68.7% | 67 | 86 |
| Donald G. Smith | 69.1% | 30.9% | 63.7% | 518 | 641 |
| James P. Alderisio | 64% | 36% | 56.3% | 469 | 562 |
| Peter Kafkas | 51.8% | 48.2% | 41.7% | 396 | 501 |
Former Judges at St Petersburg FL Oho
These judges have no recorded decisions at St Petersburg FL Oho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anne V Sprague | January 2025 | 65.3% | 271 |
| Richard P Gartner | December 2024 | 69.9% | 133 |
| Rita E Foley | August 2024 | 66.2% | 204 |
| Kurt G Ehrman | May 2024 | 45.1% | 182 |
| Norman R Zamboni | December 2023 | 75% | 20 |
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 St Petersburg FL Oho Social Security Hearing Office
St Petersburg FL Oho is a Social Security disability hearing office serving claimants in Florida. Operating within SSA Region 04, the office has 5 ALJs who preside over disability appeals.
The office's average approval rate is 62.4%, 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. Individual judge approval rates at this office range from 51.8% to 100%, a 48-point spread that reflects significant variation in decision patterns among judges.
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 223 days. There are currently 2,104 cases pending at this office. That works out to approximately 421 pending cases per judge.
Across the judges at this office, the average fully favorable rate is 66.1%. 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 St Petersburg FL Oho Hearing Office Data
Given the significant variation in decision patterns among judges at St Petersburg FL Oho, thorough case preparation is especially important. Since judge assignments are rotational, the specific ALJ assigned to a case is not known in advance — ensuring medical evidence and vocational documentation are comprehensive can help regardless of which judge presides.
With an average wait time of 8 months and 223 days average processing time, claimants at St Petersburg FL Oho can expect a total timeline of roughly 15 months from hearing request to decision.
Judges at St Petersburg FL Oho have collectively issued 1,453 decisions in the current fiscal year, averaging 291 decisions per judge. Individual caseloads range from 3 to 518 decisions, reflecting differences in hearing schedules and case complexity.
St Petersburg FL Oho Hearing Office FAQ
What is the approval rate at St Petersburg FL Oho?
Individual judges at this office have rates ranging from 51.8% to 100%. Of approved cases, the average fully favorable rate across judges at this office is 66.1%. The national average approval rate is 57.6%.
Which judges hear cases at St Petersburg FL Oho?
How long is the wait time at St Petersburg FL Oho?
From hearing request to decision, the total timeline at this office averages approximately 15 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?
What is the fully favorable rate at St Petersburg FL Oho?
How does St Petersburg FL Oho compare to other offices in the state?
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