Valparaiso IN Hearing Office - ALJ Approval Rates & Wait Times
Indiana · SSA Region 05
Approval Rate
59.4%
vs 57.6% national
Wait Time
8 months
vs 8.4 months national
Processing Time
245 days
avg days to decision
Cases Pending
2,048
awaiting hearing
ALJs
6
active judges
Valparaiso IN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeanne Foster | 63.1% | 36.9% | 51.2% | 445 | 493 |
| Tiffani Jake | 61.2% | 38.8% | 46.4% | 420 | 473 |
| Dina Lamarche | 57.7% | 42.3% | 43.6% | 433 | 498 |
| Romona Scales | 51.8% | 48.2% | 39.2% | 222 | 255 |
| Livia Morales | 49.1% | 50.9% | 31.6% | 171 | 191 |
| Alison Crisman | 46.4% | 53.6% | 32.4% | 435 | 500 |
Former Judges at Valparaiso IN
This judge has no recorded decisions at Valparaiso IN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Kristof | March 2024 | 70.1% | 174 |
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 Valparaiso IN Social Security Hearing Office
The Social Security Administration operates the Valparaiso IN hearing office in Indiana as part of its Office of Hearings Operations. Located in SSA Region 05, 6 Administrative Law Judges conduct disability hearings at this location.
The office's average approval rate is 59.4%, which is near the national average of 57.6%. This figure combines both fully favorable and partially favorable outcomes from all judges at the office. Judge approval rates at this office range from 46.4% to 63.1%, 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 245 days. There are currently 2,048 cases pending at this office. That works out to approximately 341 pending cases per judge.
Across the judges at this office, the average fully favorable rate is 40.7%. 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 Valparaiso IN Hearing Office Data
Valparaiso IN 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 245 days average processing time, claimants at Valparaiso IN can expect a total timeline of roughly 16 months from hearing request to decision.
Judges at Valparaiso IN have collectively issued 2,126 decisions in the current fiscal year, averaging 354 decisions per judge. Individual caseloads range from 171 to 445 decisions, reflecting differences in hearing schedules and case complexity.
Valparaiso IN Hearing Office FAQ
What is the approval rate at Valparaiso IN?
Individual judges at this office have rates ranging from 46.4% to 63.1%. Of approved cases, the average fully favorable rate across judges at this office is 40.7%. The national average approval rate is 57.6%.
Which judges hear cases at Valparaiso IN?
How long is the wait time at Valparaiso IN?
From hearing request to decision, the total timeline at this office averages approximately 16 months. Wait time averages reflect the most recently reported SSA data and will evolve as new disposition reports are released.
How is office data calculated?
What is the fully favorable rate at Valparaiso IN?
How does Valparaiso IN compare to other offices in the state?
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