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…
Terry LaPorte is the person you want in your corner, representing you, fighting for you, and helping you navigate the SSDI system. I could not be happier, as Terry was wonderful to work with. He was always very professional, polite, courteous, extremely patient, and always taking the time to answer all of my questions in a timely manner and never making me feel like he was rushed or that I was asking a stupid question. He set reasonable expectations and never left me feeling like I was going through the process alone, as I had been prior to calling his office.
I chose him over the countless other options available, because out of the four offices I called, his staff was the friendliest and Terry called me back himself the very next day to discuss everything prior to me making any commitment. He was the only lawyer that called personally and in less than 24 hours. All of the other places wanted me to do the same endless paperwork and submit it to be reviewed to see if I was worthy of scheduling a call with their lawyer several days or a week later. When you are in a very time-sensitive situation, that is a terrible system. But it seemed to be the standard everywhere else. After spending about 30 minutes with him on the phone, I knew he was the lawyer for me; we agreed it was a good fit and then did the paperwork. He always put my needs first and delivered what I had given up on. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with LaPorte Law Firm, so I will just say thank you!
Darren Anderson
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.
If you want someone who knows the law and can get through the red tape of the government with absolute honesty and the highest level of integrity, then contact Terry LaPorte. I have never been so impressed with a team. From the receptionist and paralegals to the lawyers, everyone I dealt with was able to help me, answer all my questions, and leave me feeling empowered and knowledgeable. I was denied three times previously. Then, when I was being represented by Terry, after the judge heard the complete truth, my case was approved in 10 minutes. I thank Terry LaPorte and his team for helping me through a stressful time.
Kim W.
Hopefully, there will only be a few times in your life when you will need an attorney. If you do, Terry LaPorte meets the highest standards. I was in a grueling situation with a disability; if I hadn’t had the good fortune of finding Terry, my life would be a shadow of my former life. I recommend seeing Terry if you have an SSDI problem. He will take you through the process step by step.
Karen W.
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.
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.
I had excellent service from LaPorte Law Firm. I highly recommend them for all your needs.
John Spooner
Mr. LaPorte and Sylvia have been so helpful to me. After going through a lot in the past three years, it was very good to find someone who really cares about me and is willing to work with me despite my situation. I highly recommend this firm to anyone who is going through this difficult time.
M.G.
Excellent attorneys.
Kenny Juarez
Our experience with La Porte Law Firm was, first and foremost, respectful and very humanitarian. As a lawyer, Mr. LaPorte always kept the goal in mind and worked very hard to have all the relevant information. He reviewed every single record, and we felt very good having him represent our son. We are most grateful to have had a positive outcome since the Social Security rules are so strict.
Gloria Carballo
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
If you want someone who understands the red tape of the government and can fight the law honorably and with integrity, then you must contact Terry LaPorte. His entire team has been outstanding. Anytime I needed help and called the office, every person I dealt with was exceptional, from the receptionist and paralegal to the lawyers. They all truly cared about me and I wasn’t just another case number. You don’t see this type of customer service much anymore, and I would highly recommend Terry LaPorte and his entire team.
Kimberley Womack
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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.
