Testimonials

Read what our clients say about our work

Testimonials

Read what our clients say about our work

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After over 40 years of service,

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

Kevin LaPorte represented me in my SSDI case. He was generous with his time, professional, and he always kept me informed throughout the process. I found Kevin to be knowledgeable about both the cognitive and physical aspects of Parkinson’s disease, which was instrumental in successfully preparing me for my hearing before a judge. During the hearing, Kevin was highly skilled at asking me the right questions that helped accurately convey my condition and limitations to the judge. I owe him a big thanks for a successful outcome and highly recommend him.

Phil H.

Pleasanton, CA

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.

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.

I don’t think I would have won my case without Terry LaPorte. It took four years for my case to be approved, but my stress level was immediately lowered as soon as I turned my case over to him. I found Terry to be professional, straightforward, and honest. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in disability law. The first time we met, I asked him if he thought I’d win my case, to which he responded that he didn’t take cases unless he thought he could win. I appreciate his tenacity and highly recommend him as an attorney. He is the lawyer you want representing you.

Madge W.

My experience with this professional firm was just that — professional — which is unfortunately lacking in many businesses these days. I found Mr. LaPorte to be extremely helpful, kind, and ready to assist and answer any and all questions. I highly recommend the LaPorte Law Firm if you’re looking for an honest, sincere, and hardworking firm.

Mrs. Victor J.

I was referred to Mr. LaPorte when Social Security declined my disability claim. His staff were very patient and courteous. Mr. LaPorte explained the process for filing an appeal thoroughly, including how long it could take, and didn’t sugarcoat things. I truly appreciated this, because I prefer to be prepared, rather than be disappointed. Fortunately, I was approved, and I am confident that this is due to Mr. LaPorte’s handling of my case.

Patricia G.

Dear Laporte Law Services,

I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to your esteemed firm, with special attention to Maria, for the outstanding assistance and support provided during my disability case.

When I first approached your firm, I was overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the complexities of the legal system. However, from the very beginning, Maria’s exceptional expertise and compassionate approach instilled a sense of confidence and reassurance in me. She listened attentively to my concerns, thoroughly analyzed my case, and diligently worked toward achieving a positive outcome.

Throughout the entire process, Maria displayed unwavering dedication, professionalism, and an unparalleled commitment to ensuring my rights were protected. Her in-depth knowledge of disability law, attention to detail, and strategic approach were instrumental in building a strong case. I was continually impressed by her ability to anticipate challenges and proactively address them, all while keeping me informed and involved at every stage.

Thanks to Maria’s exceptional legal skills, tireless efforts, and unwavering support, we achieved a victorious outcome. Winning my disability case would not have been possible without her expertise and guidance. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the outstanding job she did, and the profound impact it has had on my life.

In addition to Maria, I would also like to extend my appreciation to the entire team at Laporte Law Services. Your firm’s commitment to excellence, professionalism, and client-centered approach is truly commendable. The exceptional level of service I received from everyone involved in my case, including the support staff, reflects the high standards and values of your organization.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your outstanding legal representation and for helping me navigate the complexities of my disability case. I am forever grateful to Maria and the dedicated team at Laporte Law Services for their unwavering support, exceptional expertise, and ultimately securing a favorable outcome.

Please convey my appreciation and heartfelt thanks to Maria for her outstanding work. I will wholeheartedly recommend Laporte Law Services to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation.

With sincere gratitude,

Sean Schnoor

You are nothing but the best and have changed my life . I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Laporte Law firm 😁😁😁

Sean Schnoor

Superb legal representation from start to finish. Clear communication and excellent service from attorney Terry LaPorte and staff. They made the process simple and greatly reduced the stress related to the disability application process. I recommend the services of this firm, because they are efficient, professional, and extremely knowledgeable. I am most grateful for their assistance. Thank you for helping our disabled community.

Eli F.

Terry was very helpful with any questions I had and filed all the paperwork required for the appeal. He called me a few days before the court hearing and made sure I had all my questions answered. From the get-go, he was very helpful and friendly, and that is hard to find in a lawyer.

The judge for my case was very tough; however, we were very prepared, which helped a lot. I was getting a lot of push back because of my age; however, I sustained many injuries during my time in the Marine Corps. After the hearing, we weren’t sure how it went because the judge was very tough and hard to read, but a few weeks later, I found out we won our case.

The reason we won is Terry. He made sure everything was well prepared and made sure I knew how to answer the questions that were asked of me correctly. Terry instilled confidence in me months before our court date; his experience and knowledge is the reason we won.

Although I wasn’t sure if hiring a lawyer would be the best thing to do, I’m glad I did, because Terry made the whole process very pleasant. Now I do not have to worry as much anymore, and I am enjoying my life with my family thanks to him!

Panda M.

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.

I highly recommend working with this firm. They helped me get my Social Security Disability faster than I expected. Mr. LaPorte and his paralegal, Sylvia, are fantastic. They are professional, organized, and excellent at what they do. I feel so grateful to them.

Tina Hawkinson

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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.

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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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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.

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Everything You Need To Know About
The Social Security Disability application process