Queens, New York ODAR Office

At the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) in Queens, New York, 9 different administrative law judges (ALJ) conduct Social Security Disability (SSD) hearings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearings. Currently, in Queens, the average wait time for a SSI or SSD hearing is 23.0 months. The average case processing time in Queens is 738 days.The Queens average for winning a SSI or SSD disibility hearing is 52%. Click on the name of one of the ALJs below to see detailed information about their hearing results. This information for the Queens ODAR office was last updated on 3/9/2018.

Average statistics
OfficeJudgesAvg. Hearing
Wait Time		Average
Processing Time		Dispositions
Per Day Per ALJ		Cases
Dismissed		Cases
Approved		Cases
Denied
Queens 9 23.0 months 738 days 2.0 21% 52% 27%
New York21.8 months700 days1.922%48%30%
National Average:17.3 months577 days1.921%43%36%
AVERAGE TIME
Hearing Wait Time: 23.00 months
Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ 1.95
Average Processing Time 738 days
Cases Pending 5567
Dispositions 982
New Cases 408
Hearings In Person 99%
Video Hearings 1%
LIST OF JUDGES / 18

LATEST COMMENTS         to leave your own comment, select a judge from the list above and leave a comment on that judge's page
Bret boy
Judge: Gal Lahat
10/31/2018 7:23:26 AM

     


I’ve waited two years to go before this man I have lost everything in the process all materialistic things are long gone I’ve been away from my wife and three children for 8 months now because there is nowhere for us to stay together as a family so she stays in east Texas with a family member and I stay in the cleburne area jumping from couch to couch when I’m not in the hospital in the last two years I have spent more time in the hospital then I have out I am only 31 years old I’ve worked manual labor jobs most of the Rhine 6 days a week since I was 15 years old I have always worked hard for my family to provide for them and when I got sick for the big time two years ago my family suffered for it I am almost completely blind from diabetic retinopathy I am a sever type one diabetic I’ve had my big toe on my right foot amputated and I’m on dyialises I am still waiting to go before this man I’ve had the attorney submit diar needs letters multiple times I am tired of hearing my three year old daughter cry for her daddy every night and me not be able to do anything about it this small family needs this please judge if you read this please see that I am a person that this is a family a Christian family with three small children in the home and a fourth that is older and lives with his mother from a previous marriage but none the less he is affected by this as well because I have not a home for him to be able to come to to visit this waiting ‘‘tis destroying a family that just wants to be a family I have never been in trouble not once have I had a drug charge or anything more than a traffic violation I may have tattoos all over my arms but it’s my life’s story not a symbol of crime I go to church I talk and walk with God everyday I worked my **** off when I was able up until the day I could not any longer and believe me it started way before September of 2016 that I was sick but I still pushed on throwing up all day hurting so bad I was in tears just trying to provide for my family because nothing has ever been given to me my dad taught me to work for what you have want and need and I did but now I’m not able to so I need this sir if you read this I’m still waiting to have my hearing scheduled this is Halloween day I don’t want to spend the holidays away from my wife and children as well so please please please see that we are a family and take that into consideration sincerely Bret B.
Joe
Judge: Andrew S Weiss
9/4/2018 8:24:41 AM

     


If you are truly are disabled you this is the perfect judge for your case. Fair no nonsense and looks at all the facts. Once again if you are truly disabled judge Weiss will know

Judge: David Z Nisnewitz
8/29/2018 3:18:51 PM

     


Is a terrific judge but his fear of the "galacktashneider," clouds his thinking.
Jeff
Judge: Michael Friedman
2/2/2018 8:00:01 AM

     


this judge is one of the worst. Most of his decisions are either dismissed or denied. In fact, he was taken off the bench for a while because his stats were in question. However, this dinosaur was brought back because the federal government is backed up and short staffed. During my hearing, he was very patronizing and sarcastic. In my "unfavorable decision" there was no specific reason for my denial. Just a lot of embellishment. Between this alj's bad reputation and my strong medical evidence, I might be able to get his decision remanded by the Appeals Council.

D. G.
Judge: Gal Lahat
9/28/2017 12:20:00 PM

     


What a joke of a judge. I suffered a massive stroke can not use half of my body lost 2 jobs because of stroke have memory problems no one will hire me because they say I am a liability and not hireable because of my stroke. This ****** of a judge says I can do manual labor. I wish you ***** of a judge. I have worked my entire life in the aircraft industry signing off billion dollar planes now I can't even get a job as a sacker at a grocery store because I am a liability. Well you ****** ***** of a judge then you hire me and pay me for the next 6 years along with my insurance as well. I can't even go see my doctor because my wife and I are dead broke and my condition has worsen to the point where dying is my only option. So to you judge I hope your happy with your decision because not only have you destroyed a mans family and pride you are also responsible for his death. I hope u *** ** **** for all of your unjust ways you have cause hurt to people
l.r
Judge: Gal Lahat
4/19/2017 9:50:30 PM

     


Thank you for being my judge i couldnt get a better judge than you !!!you were professional ,fair and thorough!!!!

Judge: Andrew S Weiss
4/10/2017 10:41:42 AM

     


I have not met Judge Weiss yet. I am just praying he is fair because, my case has been going on for too many years ! I wish it comes up that I was on ssi long before my husband died!!

Terri Johnson
Judge: John J Barry
9/22/2016 1:48:50 PM

     


Judge John J Barry was very patient and polite.

Judge: Gal Lahat
9/4/2016 6:06:32 AM

     


Judge Gal Lahat is very fair and thorough.

Michelle
Judge: Marilyn P Hoppenfeld
6/23/2016 2:55:29 PM

     


Judge hoppenfeld is an 85 year old woman who should have retired twenty years ago . She held a decision for 71 days, which they say is the turnover time for a decision in the queens office. On the 71st day, I was told she retired, leaving hundreds of decisions in the lurch. She clearly stated my husband is disabled, you're retired, go home and relax. Now she retired without putting her decision into the computer. There are over 700 pages of documentation. If I could give her a negative 5 stars, I would....
George Harmon
Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
5/24/2016 12:01:59 AM

     


This man had no reason to deny me. I had medical records and proof of my disability. He stated at my hearing that my before and after x-rays were frightening. But said in his disposition that if I can talk on the phone, I can work. This man is clearly predujuce. He needs to be removed. If your black and you scraped your knee. Your in luck, because this fool will hand over SSI, but be white and paralized...you ain't getting squat!
Sharif Sheng
Judge: Hazel C Strauss
2/29/2016 12:35:04 AM

     


She is a wonderful Judge! She has good heart and good judgement for people. She should get Respectfully! She true care every disability people. In my life, I never forget her! If your disability is true, you can get her true help. Don't use the denies number for judgement to the Judge. Who is good Judge? Be thankful always.

V Butts
Judge: Mark Sochaczewsky
10/21/2015 9:01:01 AM

     


You were a very patient with my son that has adhd and other issues. We appeared to you from Jamestown New York court room via satellite in 2009. You denied the fee of the legal aid because basically you relax if they were taking advantage of low incom people . Well my son was reviewed and a few months later approved again in 2015. I can't find anyone to help me. Now 6 years later not from this case but from the decision made in 2009 social security is giving my sons back pay from the new case to them. Can you please direct me in th way I should go
homeless
Judge: Aaron M Morgan
3/17/2015 11:55:03 AM

     


hey its homeless again judge Moran I for give you for all the pain you have caused me the loss of my home which was my inhairantance which was from my mother.the back money from 2010 when i filed the claim and your unfair and wrong decision in 2012 and would also like to thank the appeals counsil for the poor job that they did in not looking at the new evidents which would have fixed the problem but you also did not do your jobs i sent new records that showed new proof of my disabilty and you say that you looked at them but when you sen the evadents you supposly looked at it was not there wonder were it went. thin air? So i had to refile in 2013 which took my work credits cause i had to refile so now i get ssi not ssd i fought my ass off to keep all my things and lost all of it my mother the house all the things in the house cloths pictures furnture family airlooms all my mothers stuff my stuff as people picked threw it on the side of the road and after all that you will not even do nothing to fix the mistake but i forgive its time to move on because there is one thing you could not take is my happiness and determnation and my spirit.

homeless
Judge: Aaron M Morgan
2/19/2015 12:25:10 PM

     


this judge should be removed from the bench. there doctors siad i was disabled my doctors said the same.my mom died jan 9 2012 his decision came jan 12 2012 denied could not make house payments lightbills food borrowed money to creamate her lost my my work credits lost my back pay and for what because he said i did not look disabled so i guss he just disregards top doctors in there field opinion.thing i lost the house everything but there is vendication i won my case feb 12 2015 in front of judge thompson who they say is the tuffest in florida and the second in the country he said i should have received it then and if he would have been the judge he would have given it to me. so with that being said i am homeless when it should not have happend i lost over half of my back pay and at least half of the monthly money so were justice for the working man there is none.p.s judge thompson was very fair and throw

Judge: Aaron M Morgan
8/23/2014 1:05:55 PM

     


THIS JUDGE VERY NICE AND FAIR JUDGE l WENT 2 TIME IN COURT AND JUDGE DON'T MISS ANTHING HE LOOT ALL MY DR REPORT AND SECOND COURT HE TALL ME l WIN AND l JUST RECIVED MY DECICION LETTER YESTERDAY NOW L WAIT FOR MY BENEFECT THANK YOU JUDGE KEEP DOING GOD JOB

Judge: Aaron M Morgan
4/29/2014 10:45:53 AM

     


I went before this judge and the only thing he could use against me was that I smoke cig's lmao. This judge didn't even open my records. He would not stop about smoking. This judge needs banned fromk the bench.
zack
Judge: Michael Friedman
4/23/2014 8:37:33 PM

     


going before judge Friedman ... any information on him ?
lewis j sauls
Judge: Andrew S Weiss
4/17/2014 8:53:48 PM

     


Hello my name is Lewis j Saul's Mr. Weiss is a great judge he is very fair and makes great decisions


Judge: Michael D Cofresi
4/15/2014 2:06:11 PM

     




Dawn
Judge: Hazel C Strauss
3/10/2014 5:40:09 PM

     


Her rating for denials is so low, she has stopped reviewing cases!!!!! Fire her! I will be writing my representatives etc to fire her. She makes people suffer, and that is suffer more. I've never been this depressed in my life, and I thought I was when I found myself unable to work!
Marshel
Judge: Marilyn P Hoppenfeld
1/28/2014 5:38:26 AM

     


Judge Marilyn P Hoppenfeld illicit the impression that whatever she allows you to have that is all you will get. Like throwing a meatless bone to a dog and saying...You better be thankful I gave you that!

Marshel
Judge: Michael D Cofresi
1/28/2014 5:31:01 AM

     


Judge Michael D Cofresi displays such a superior attitude in his decision writing style that implants the feeling that he throws his decision at you...confident that you will have no defense against it. It becomes a meeting-of-the-minds to figure out who really has the better hand. He thinks he is being through in finding issues to deny you on, but he overlooks the fact that there are SS Regulations and applicable steps that even he must adhere to.


Judge: Hazel C Strauss
1/20/2014 1:16:00 PM

     


Why hasn't she been fired????

Judge: Hazel C Strauss
12/22/2013 2:26:44 PM

     


I think this judge is a poor excuse as a judge,she should not be on the bench work for social security because she does not care about anybody health or well being. Nobody in this day or time ever hears of a judge calling a fake doctor who does not no nothing about you or your medical conditions,and then have a vocional specialist come in and tell you what you can do or not what can you do these people that comes in her changes are probably paid actors that she pays for out of her pocket none of these people have any medical background at all. I just hope if anybody gets her please prey because she is old and cranky and you will be waiting for months before you get a decision in the mail. You will be waiting for at least 5-6 months before she makes up her mind to send you anything. She needs to be of the bench ASAP.


Judge: Hazel C Strauss
8/28/2013 7:46:41 PM

     


I feel the judge is very unfair with people who.is sick. She will ask for medical documents but over look the most important stuff of you condition. Then she asks for a medical doctor on the phone to ask you questions but don't know nothing about you at all. I feel that is not a real doctor. Who ever heard of a doctor examining you over the phone nobody in this world. She is the worst judge in social security hearing system.

Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
8/23/2013 8:50:50 AM

     


Would love to find a site on the individuals that Judge Jordan approved. Might be interesting.


Judge: Hazel C Strauss
8/17/2013 12:54:23 PM

     


I can appreciate the class action lawsuit and the out come of it but until it is totally settled, we,the denied, still have to have our cases heard by the same ALJ that denied us in in the first place... and to add insult to injury,now the ALJ is using a Medical expert that has had his/her licence suspended for unjust behavior in the past..in my opinion,which still works against the applicants. How can we trust these hearing to be held with our prejudice? I Cannot even understand why!if our cases have be approved even by the higher court to be returned and reheard, that we must be subjected to further torment by these ALJ? LOOK AT THE FACTS!!! Times spans, Medical and physical evidence is very compelling.!!! Stop playing with our LIFE'S AND GIVE US WHAT WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO QUALIFY,IF WE BECAME DISABLED AND IS LEGALLY ENTITLED TO. last but not least...Strauss is not entitled to be rated at this point, but is entitled to be judged with a(MINUS)-Star until she cleans up her act.

Judge: Jay L Cohen
6/27/2013 1:41:28 PM

     


Straight shooter, fair, objective. Bends to neither side. Thorough. Professional demeanor, you know your'e in front of a real judge and will get a fair shake, win or lose. What you want and expect in an Administrative Law Judge.
JDJ
Judge: Seymour Fier
4/1/2013 4:52:06 PM

     


He completely ignored most of the medical evidence presented at my hearing. don't care what your doctor said he goes by the ME and CE

Judge: Seymour Fier
11/21/2012 8:30:26 PM

     


This man is THE WORST example of an ALJ. VERY BIASED. He completely ignored most of the medical evidence presented at my hearing. His unfavorable decision was based on absurd arguments which had NOTHING to do with my case. Adding insult to injury, he went on to state that I was able to do construction related work (which I have NEVER done) when I can barely walk unassisted. I would love to know what kind of construction work he would be able to do with TEN (10) herniated discs! You are a disgrace to your profession, Mr. Fier!

Katie Sullivan
Judge: Aaron M Morgan
10/23/2012 4:39:48 PM

     


Tough but fair.
James Edwards
Judge: Aaron M Morgan
9/27/2012 4:34:32 PM

     


Arrogant little bully!
so sad
Judge: Aaron M Morgan
9/27/2012 4:32:12 PM

     


Completely disregards the concept that the hearing is the claimant's opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing. Selects certain non-favorable evidence to base his decision on and disregards the remaining record. Attempts to embarrass reps and claimants. Should be reported to chief ALJ.

rockheadroll
Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
9/19/2012 2:45:23 PM

     


I can't in my right mind even call this guy a judge. It was obvious that he did not read all the facts of my disabilities. I had M.R.I.'s to prove my neck and back disc degeneration. Also my doctors form stating i have bipolar disorder and i take 300 mg of seroquel. This medicine causes me to have a zombie like effect when i am awake. It also causes me to sleep from 12 to 16 hours. How am i supposed to go to work when i can barly get out of bed. I also have had problems with arrhythmia and sleep apnea. I'm probably living on borrowed time but this judge did'nt give a crap. I used and attorney and was told they would'nt have taken my case if they could'nt win it. This judge should be fired because he abused his discretion and position.

Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
9/15/2012 1:11:32 AM

     


Yes, ALJ Jordan out of the 162 cases approved he only paid black Claimant's with black attorneys. Get a clue.

Judge: Aaron M Morgan
9/9/2012 8:01:46 AM

     


HAD HIS DECISION MADE AGAINST ME BEFORE WE FINISHED HEARING, ARROGANT AND MAKES DECISION WITHOUT TWO YEARS OF MEDICAL SCREENING UP TO APPEARANCE BEFORE HIM, RATHER THAN REMANDING FOR FURTHER MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS WHERE CLAIMANTS HAVE NO MEDICAL INSURANCE OR FINANCIAL STABILITY TO SEE ANY MEDICAL DOCTORS AND REJECTS FAMILY PHYSICIAN REPORTS FROM DECADES OF BEING THE TREATING PHYSICIAN.


Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
9/4/2012 4:34:47 PM

     


Need to be black and have a black lawyer.
Emile Titone
Judge: John J Barry
8/18/2012 11:53:05 PM

     


I am not sure if I was approved or denied yet, but I felt he was extremely thorough and patient.
U N Owen
Judge: Sol A Wieselthier
7/11/2012 1:09:02 PM

     


Even as a lawyer, before becoming a judge, Sol Wieselthier, was a shining star in his community. It was via his guidance, that ICHM, our neighborhood Temple,grew from a single family home, to a jewel in the community.He was active on the board, he tended to all the legal problems, and hosted many of the visitors, speaking at the Temple.As they say in Yiddush, he was a "Guten Neshumah"!....he is sorely missed!

It was through his guidance
Judge: Sol A Wieselthier
7/11/2012 1:00:33 PM

     


Even as a lawyer, before becoming a judge, Sol Wieselthier, was a shining star in his community.

Mcknight
Judge: Hazel C Strauss
6/25/2012 3:56:58 PM

     


Judge Hazel C, Strauss over saw my case and treated me asthough i didn't matter. She never considered the real facts ,just the information that she could use in order to denie me my due benefits. Totally disregarded the medical documentations and All medical facts that was presented..even though it was clear that i was disabled, She made me fell like it was a joke to her, through it was very apparent that I was in great pain and discomfort and even had to be excused, she just did not take anything into consideration.,,She used the system to denie me and others like myself. Theres so much more that i can say about my hearing with her but...last but not least, as i stuggled to get up and leave, She smiled as though it was going to be ok,knowing very well that she had made up her mind long time before i came in,that she was not going to approve my application. But thank God...that there is a higher authority. Shes totally unfair and in my opinion,i think that her denined cases should be over turned and approved. That My Opinion.

Judge: Jeffrey M. Jordan
6/13/2012 11:34:20 PM

     


Shipped him out for bias

Judge: Hazel C Strauss
5/4/2012 5:34:15 AM

     


How can this person be called a judge she does not deal in facts. She denies 48% WHY?? Does she get a BONUS at the end of the year? Does she get her rocks off knowing that people have to sleep in shelters and cars due to her decisions? She propbably is a rich person and does not care about struggling working people that fall on hard times and get sick. She is a disgrace to humanity!!


Judge: John J Barry
3/25/2012 8:25:29 AM

     





Judge: John J Barry
3/23/2012 11:17:37 AM

     





Judge: David Z Nisnewitz
3/20/2012 5:36:41 AM

     


Although he has flashes of compassion, he seems to operate from a strong ego. He has been the chief ALJ for this office for a while. He argues for argument sake and raises his voice a lot. He is smart, bu never seems prepared and is not up on new regulations or cases at times. Be ready for an unpredictable hearing. He protects his experts from cross examination at times and interrupts questioning as a matter of routine. He does not manage time well and does not seem to respect the time of others well. He often makes unrealistic demands from advocates, especially in the area of getting evidence and neglects the mandates on his office to pursue evidence.

Judge: Seymour Fier
3/20/2012 5:23:08 AM

     


Not a fair judge. Does not seem to like many of the rules and often sets his own rules. Pragmatic type, usually taking a strong position and not that open to persuasion even from his selected experts. He does not seem motivated by whether a case is remanded or even if there is a circuit decision on an issue. His stats are possibly worse than they appear. He tends to negotiate a strong arm amended onset date. He uses a quiet, slow methodical tone and rarely raises his voice.