| Office | Judges | Avg. Hearing Wait Time | Average Processing Time | Avg. Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ | Cases Dismissed | Cases Approved | Cases Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | 7 | 9 months | 409 days | 2.23 | 22% | 25% | 52% |
| San Bernardino | 8 | 20 months | 600 days | 1.74 | 21% | 9% | 70% |
| Los Angeles | 6 | 18 months | 575 days | 1.88 | 16% | 47% | 36% |
| Los Angeles | 8 | 23 months | 660 days | 1.97 | 17% | 39% | 44% |
| Moreno Valley | 9 | 20 months | 624 days | 1.50 | 17% | 48% | 36% |
| Fresno | 7 | 19 months | 682 days | 1.89 | 17% | 35% | 49% |
| San Diego | 14 | 17 months | 588 days | 1.72 | 21% | 60% | 20% |
| Pasadena | 7 | 17 months | 557 days | 2.08 | 19% | 36% | 45% |
| Long Beach | 10 | 23 months | 741 days | 0.84 | 19% | 15% | 66% |
| Sacramento | 12 | 16 months | 580 days | 1.88 | 19% | 76% | 5% |
| San Francisco | 5 | 19 months | 580 days | 1.33 | 20% | 39% | 41% |
| San Rafael | 6 | 21 months | 647 days | 1.71 | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| Oakland | 10 | 13 months | 461 days | 1.46 | 47% | 30% | 23% |
| Orange | 10 | 19 months | 630 days | 1.84 | 16% | 46% | 38% |
| Norwalk | 5 | 19 months | 570 days | 2.05 | 15% | 39% | 46% |
| San Jose | 6 | 16 months | 433 days | 1.83 | 18% | 34% | 48% |
| Santa Barbara | 4 | 15 months | 506 days | 1.92 | 27% | 49% | 24% |
| All California | 134 | 18 months | 579 days | 1.76 | 22% | 40% | 38% |
If you are thinking about applying for Social Security disability in California, then you should weigh the benefits of hiring an attorney. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can significantly improve the odds that your case will be approved.
Social Security data from California reveals that 38% of the Social Security disability claims are denied on average. Of course, most applicants that have been denied on their first attempt appeal the decision. However, the chances of approval are even worse in the first phase of the appeals process, which is formally known as reconsideration.
The vast majority of claimants will have to wait until their hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) to have a significant chance of approval.
California has 17 Hearing Offices where you can go to have your case heard by an ALJ. They are listed in the above table.
Most successful Social Security disability claims are approved during the hearing, largely because the ALJs have more leeway in the way they handle claims and can actually see and hear you while you present evidence of your disability.
Overall, 40% of California disability hearings result in an disability benefits being awarded.
On average, California residents wait 579 days for their hearing before an ALJ. Some Hearing Offices are more favorable than others.
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