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…
I had excellent service from LaPorte Law Firm. I highly recommend them for all your needs.
John Spooner
I am so grateful to LaPorte Law Firm for the expertise, guidance, and professionalism with which they handled my claim, helping me get the most positive outcome I could possibly hope for! The system seemed daunting and overwhelming to me at the beginning, but Terry LaPorte took the time to talk through the details of my case on several occasions before we started and helped familiarize me with the process.
Elena Cahalan
We were overwhelmed by the Social Security system bureaucracy and didn’t know where to turn. Thanks to the great service from Kevin and Sylvia, we quickly received a positive outcome for our disabled son.
Tim Eastman
Terry LaPorte took on my case after another Social Security attorney flat-out told me her firm would not take it on because it was ‘unwinnable.’ With Terry’s help, my case was won after a six-year battle. My right as a worthy disabled person was not only validated but proven without a doubt.
Julie S.
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
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.
Cory Brown
Terry LaPorte is the best. When I was looking for a referral, every knowledgeable attorney referred me to Terry (and only Terry). He worked hard for me, was an excellent advocate, and I completely trust his judgment. He is a kind and decent man, too. I’m grateful I found him.
Sam H.
Terry LaPorte is quite frankly the only disability attorney. I cannot imagine that anyone could hold a candle to him. I had been urged by many of my friends to apply for disability and kept putting it off. When I finally applied, I was turned down. A friend then recommended Terry; I called him and he immediately invited me into his office, no time wasted. Everything then fell into place. Terry is a kind, caring, and honest gentleman. He is well read in disability law and he used that knowledge to win my case. If you are in need of the best disability attorney, let me tell you something: you need Terry LaPorte!
Sylvia E.
Terry LaPorte handled my brother’s Social Security case in 2010, and was able to obtain the benefits we were seeking. He was able to break down the complexities of the system in a way that my family could understand easily. I would recommend him to anybody that needs help with Social Security benefits. He goes a long way to make sure your needs are met.
Michael Nguyen
Terry LaPorte is an amazing disability attorney. After fighting for disability benefits with another attorney for five years and being denied my benefits, I decided to switch attorneys and was fortunate enough to find Mr. LaPorte. After carefully reviewing my case for free, he gave me clear actions to take to help strengthen my case. He kept me informed throughout the process and was always willing to listen and answer my questions in a thorough and timely manner. Once I had a court date, it took the judge five minutes to look at my paperwork and decide in my favor. Terry is a professional, skilled, and caring attorney. I would highly recommend him to anyone trying to get their disability benefits.
Henry O.
Legal Top Guns
Filing an SSDI claim was daunting but Terry explained how the process would work and he was absolutely 100% right in how it played out! He handed off my case to his daughter and fellow attorney Kelsey. There was no drop off of support. Kelsey always believed in my case and she ably represented me when it came time to face the administrative law judge. I know for certain that my appeal would not have been successful without the Laportes.
Chris
We went to LaPorte Law Firm for a Social Security-related issue for my son, as he was denied on two applications. After the initial consultation, Terry took over and kept us in the loop throughout the process. A month before the hearing, we were informed that the hearing would be changed to a virtual one due to the pandemic, but Terry made sure we understood the process. Everything went great, but the icing on the cake was that we were able to continue to check in with him regarding parts of the process well into a year after winning our case. He was so responsive and always made time to talk to us and guide us. Without any hesitation, I will recommend Terry!
Thyg N.
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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.
