Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Surh, Matilda

SAN FRANCISCOCalifornia Stable

-14.3 pts vs national average

43.4%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge43.4%

SAN FRANCISCO55.6%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

311

Fully favorable

100

32.2%

Partially favorable

11.3%

Denials

176

56.6%

Total dispositions

381

Dismissals

18.4%

Awards

135

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 32.2%Partially fav. 11.3%Denied 56.6%

Approval rate history

FY2017

50.6%156 dec

FY2018

33.1%399 dec

FY2019

30.8%529 dec

FY2020

35.4%387 dec

FY2021

40.4%376 dec

FY2022

44.6%336 dec

FY2023

47.1%263 dec

FY2024

40.8%319 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at SAN FRANCISCO (8)

Suing, Timothy
22 dec77.3%
Duann, Tom
322 dec74.8%
Cabotaje, Michael
76 dec59.2%
Pellegrino, Gloria
299 dec58.9%
Elias, Yasmin
51 dec58.8%
Parnow, Mary
296 dec56.4%
Midles, Matt
211 dec45.0%
Yurich, Melinda
299 dec26.4%

Judges in California with the most decisions

Villere, Plauche F.
SACRAMENTO420 dec
Lacy, David
PASADENA396 dec
Magana, Ghermann
PASADENA382 dec
Blume, David
SACRAMENTO378 dec
Radensky, Michael
ORANGE371 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.