Our Team

Meet our highly experienced Social Security Disability attorneys and experts in the Bay Area

What we believe in

Empathy, Compassion, and Humility

We always put our clients first. As we know how daunting the disability process can be and understand that our clients are facing hard and uncertain times in their lives, we do everything in our power to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Honesty and Integrity

When we take on a case, we are straightforward about the chances of success — we won’t just tell you what you want to hear. We never overpromise and treat each client with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Respect and Accountability

We never abandon a case, no matter what. If we decide to take on a case, we will remain 100% committed until the final outcome.

Passion and Dedication

Helping people is what we believe in. With over 40 years of expertise and thousands of successful cases, we remain steadfast in our goal of helping people receive the benefits they deserve.

Our commitment to you

We believe in keeping our promises to our clients:

Every case is handled by an extremely experienced attorney or legal specialist.
We consider all cases, regardless of their complexity.
All of our clients are always well prepared prior to their hearing with the administrative law judge.
We will only get paid after your case is approved — you will not pay any fees before your benefits are awarded.
You won’t be treated like just another case number — every case we take on is considered unique and handled with care.
As your representative, we are with you every step of the way. We will never abandon you as a client when the going gets tough.

The results you deserve

With over 40 years of service, LaPorte Law Firm has won thousands of claims and appeals for our clients.

Terry has been assisting me with my SSI trial. I very much value and appreciate his time. I am grateful to have him helping me, as I feel confident in his abilities.

Mr. LaPorte handled a case for me and did a superb job. He made the process straightforward and easy for me to understand, and everything was handled in a professional manner.

LaPorte Law Firm is awesome. They stood by me until my case was finished and we got what was owed to me. I can’t thank them enough. I would totally recommend them to anyone in need.

How it works:

Complete the form so we can learn more about your situation.
We will reach out within 48 hours to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney.
If your case can be pursued, we’ll start working on it.
We only get paid if your case is approved.

How we can help:

NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN.

At LaPorte Law Firm, we only receive a fee if you win your case – so you have nothing to lose. We’re with you every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SSDI benefits and SSI benefits?

SSDI is a disability insurance program financed by your Social Security paycheck deductions. Unless prohibited by your age, you must have worked a total of 10 years (40 quarters), 5 of which must be within the last 10 years (20 of the last 40 quarters). In order to be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have earned FICA-taxed wages during this work period.

For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, no work time is required at all. There are, however, limits to eligibility based on how much property you own or money you have in the bank, as the SSI program is aimed at individuals who lack income or resources and are disabled. Benefits are paid as a flat rate, and the amount may be reduced if you receive any money or assistance from any source.

With both SSI and SSDI, you must be found disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees both programs and defines disability as being unable to perform any “substantial gainful activity.”

Will SSDI replace all my lost income?

No, SSDI can be seen as a safety net. It will pay monthly benefits to you based on the amount of money that you have already paid into the system through employment taxes.

How long does it take to receive SSDI benefits?

If your claim is approved upon the first attempt, the process should take just a few months. However, it should be noted that only approximately one-third of claims are approved on the first filing. As such, most applicants need to go through the appeal process to secure their benefits. If your claim is then approved after an appeal to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, delays of a year or more before benefit payment commences are also common.

How much will I be paying in attorney's fees?

Attorney’s fees are 25% of the first retroactive payment to you by the SSA; however, the fee is capped at US$7,200 regardless of the amount of money you are owed by the SSA. There is no one-off or ongoing fee after you win your case. As the SSA can take several years to adjudicate a disability claim, disability claimants are often entitled to a large check for retroactive benefits for the period in which they were waiting for their claim to be decided. Our fees automatically come out of that first retroactive check, so our clients never have to pay us directly.

What should I do if Social Security denies my application?

If your application is rejected on your first attempt, as is the case for many first-time applicants, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. An appeal must be filed using the proper forms within 60 days of the date of the denial decision. Your chances of winning an appeal are greatly enhanced by retaining a firm that specializes in Social Security law.

How much will I receive if my claim is successful?

The monthly amount you will receive depends on factors such as age, past earnings, and type of benefit. The law allows retroactive pay up to 12 months prior to the month of a disability application. To get a better idea of your situation, it is advisable to consult the SSA’s benefit calculator.

Award-winning service

Equipped with years of experience and thousands of successful cases, LaPorte Law Firm is the leading disability attorney in the Bay Area, and we have the awards and certifications to prove it.