Testimonials
Read what our clients say about our work
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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…
Wow! I am so impressed with Mr. LaPorte. He is the kind of man you hope for when you need a lawyer. I did a fair amount of research on Bay Area lawyers who handle disability and found that most firms don’t want to take your case until it’s time for an appeal, because they make more money that way. But that is not in your best interest. I went to Terry before starting my SSDI application. He took my case, did all the upfront work, and I was approved in three months. I seriously doubt that I would have had such a great result if Terry was not in my corner. He is clearly about helping people, and not just making money. I am so grateful to him.
Keith C.
I filled out the online request for information on their website the day after Thanksgiving. I didn’t expect to hear from anyone until Monday at the earliest but at around 4:30 p.m., I got a call from Mr. LaPorte personally. He wasn’t even at work, but he happened to check his email and saw my request. He listened to my issues, answered some questions, and set up an appointment for the following week. I had not done an initial application for Social Security or anything yet, and Terry and his staff helped me every step of the way. They made me feel like I had a whole team on my side and made the whole process so easy. My disability is not readily apparent but no one there treated me with doubt or anything other than respect and kindness. It was a wonderful experience, and I won my benefits in only five months. I have recommended Mr. LaPorte to several people seeking Social Security benefits and will continue to do so.
Robin P.
We went to LaPorte Law Firm for an SS-related issue for my son, who was denied twice. After an 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 had been changed to a virtual hearing due to the pandemic, but Terry made sure we understood the process. Overall, everything went great, but the icing on the cake was that once we won the case, we were able to continue to check with Terry regarding parts of the process well into a year later. He was very responsive and always found time to talk to us and guide us. Without any hesitation, I will recommend Terry!
Gautham 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
LaPorte Law Firm is very good at what they do. The application process for a Social Security Disability claim can be a long, complicated, and stressful experience, but LaPorte made the entire process so much easier for me. They’re the best!
Thomas Gardner
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.
What a great, experienced attorney. During my free consultation, he gave me all the information I needed. He was honest, helpful, and professional. No doubt, he is very skilled and experienced.
Victim O.
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
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.
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
I have been wanting to personally thank your team, and Terry especially, for the hard work and help with my disability claim. I also got valuable suggestions from Terry about options to stay on disability while attending college. It has worked out really well and I have just finished my first semester back in school.
Greg Whitson
LaPorte Law Firm was wonderful to work with. They took a very stressful process and turned it into a positive experience by making me feel listened to and understood. They stood by me and were extremely supportive every step of the way. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Donna Green
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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.
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.
