Testimonials
Read what our clients say about our work
Testimonials
Read what our clients say about our work
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LaPorte Law Firm has won thousands of claims and appeals for our clients
Here’s what our clients have to say…
THE BEST THERE IS IN HIS FIELD
Terry LaPorte and his team are the absolute definition of informed compassionate representation. His years of experience and well known ethic works within the system to the benefit of his clientele. A consummate professional with a top notch support staff, it just does not get any better. He can wade through the red tape and convoluted SSI Disability system like a hot knife through butter. I highly recommend the Law Offices of Terry LaPorte to anyone needing this type of representation. In my opinion, this is the ONLY choice in this field of practice.
Sandy Dillon Stroppa
I cannot say enough great things about Terry. He has decades of specialized legal knowledge and experience in disability law and it shows. In addition to his level of competence, he is such a genuine person. He regularly demonstrated how much he cares about me. One of the things I particularly appreciated was how responsive he was to my numerous inquiries. He consistently responded to me in a very timely way, whether it was responding with an email or calling me on the phone. Attorneys often do not show this level of professionalism, so it’s refreshing to work with an attorney who does.
I prevailed in my disability claim, which was not straightforward, as it involved an ‘invisible disability.’ Terry was able to present convincing arguments during my disability hearing and I could tell how experienced and confident he is in that environment. After my hearing, he would track the status of my case and keep me updated whenever there was any movement in the process. I could tell by his actions that he was dedicated to making sure he did all he could to assure I prevailed.
Jennifer E.
This firm and Mr. LaPorte did an amazing job with my case. I was hesitant to get an attorney, but after speaking with him, I never looked back. They were able to get me the best possible outcome. Don’t hesitate if you are in need of an honest disability attorney; call them today.
Karla Kopfhammer
I want to thank Mr. Terry LaPorte and his staff for their support. Their know-how and expertise in this area are immense, and their guidance every step of the way was crucial in moving things forward. I am very happy and grateful to have worked with Terry and his staff.
Deepa J.
I had excellent service from LaPorte Law Firm. I highly recommend them for all your needs.
John Spooner
If problems arise when dealing with Social Security Disability, calling LaPorte Law Firm is the best thing you can do. Professional, experienced, confident, and reassuring are a few words I’d use when recommending them.
Mitch Boo
During the most painful and vulnerable time in one’s life, it is comforting to have LaPorte Law Firm providing security and guidance in an arena that is so stressful and confusing. It’s always done with extreme grace, calmness, and respect for those who need it most in their trying times. I can’t thank them enough for taking care of me and reminding me that people do care. I feel blessed to have found them, especially Mr. LaPorte. What a gentleman in a sea of gruffness.
Elizabeth Rafietari
I’m really glad you guys were there for me in my time of need. You can be sure that I will be calling on you if I or someone in my family needs help.
Charles Bryley
LaPorte Law Firm helped me with my case from start to finish. They explained every detail to me and answered every question I had. They were on top of my case and helped me get through it with much less stress on my part. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for professional help on their claims.
Divina Mendoza
I became disabled and had to find an attorney. After researching for one in my area, I found that this law firm was best suited for my needs. I contacted them, made an appointment with Kevin LaPorte, and never looked back. My attorney handled everything; we had one meeting and it was done. Yes, there was some waiting, but it was well worth it. His assistant, Sylvia, was very professional, answering all my questions or forwarding them. They would call to see how things are, send me things to fill out, or ask for things to be sent. This was extremely good for me, because I was not very mobile at the time. I would highly recommend this law firm if you need assistance. They handled the case very well and did all the paperwork and filing. I couldn’t be happier.
Cheryl Trevizo
Kevin and Sylvia were extremely supportive, professional, and courteous throughout the entire appeals process. Kevin is not an overly aggressive attorney, but he is very experienced and knowledgeable about the process, and I believe that is why he wins favorable outcomes. He prepared me for the very long and invasive appeals process. He answered all of my questions and gave me very good advice on how to answer all of the judge’s questions. I would highly recommend LaPorte Law Firm to anyone who needs a knowledgeable, professional, and supportive attorney to help with Social Security Disability.
Cedric Strickland
Kevin is a wonderful attorney. He helped me win my case and stuck with me through it all. I truly appreciate everything he did for me, and strongly recommend his services to anyone going through a hard time trying to obtain their benefits. He is your guy!
Shirley Etter
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Book a free 30- to 60-minute consultation call with us so we can assess your situation.
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Begin the onboarding process with LaPorte Law Firm if your case is taken on by the legal team.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.”
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.
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.
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. After November 30, 2024, the maximum attorney’s fees are capped at $9,200. 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.
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.
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.
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:
- Free case evaluation by an attorney
- Social Security Disability Insurance application
- Social Security Disability Insurance appeal
- Disability hearing preparation
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.
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.
