Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Kauffman, Howard

HARRISBURGPennsylvania Stable

-14.6 pts vs national average

43.1%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge43.1%

HARRISBURG46.3%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

401

Fully favorable

136

33.9%

Partially favorable

9.2%

Denials

228

56.9%

Total dispositions

495

Dismissals

19.0%

Awards

173

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 33.9%Partially fav. 9.2%Denied 56.9%

Approval rate history

FY2015

50.0%6 dec

FY2016

41.2%289 dec

FY2017

41.1%338 dec

FY2018

39.9%406 dec

FY2019

37.1%423 dec

FY2020

39.9%323 dec

FY2021

37.8%386 dec

FY2022

41.0%334 dec

FY2023

42.4%283 dec

FY2024

39.6%414 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at HARRISBURG (5)

Cutter, Patrick
314 dec53.8%
Bozarth, Shawn
224 dec53.6%
Begley, David
155 dec53.5%
Staller, Scott M
390 dec50.3%
Guida, Richard
414 dec23.7%

Judges in Pennsylvania with the most decisions

Powers, Erin
JOHNSTOWN443 dec
Kleeb, Kelli J.
SEVEN FIELDS410 dec
Kooser, John
SEVEN FIELDS403 dec
Wood, Brian
SEVEN FIELDS397 dec
Barletta, Frank
WILKES BARRE392 dec

Next step

Estimate approval odds

See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.