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 a warm, caring, understanding, and knowledgeable lawyer in Mr. Terry LaPorte. He was amazing in getting my papers submitted and keeping me informed of the progress of my case. I also needed some advice on another case of mine, and he was always there to give me advice (even when he was about to board a plane to go to another case). Just an amazing lawyer.
Donna Arevalo
Kevin LaPorte and Terry LaPorte helped my wife through what had previously been a challenging disability appeal that spanned years. Our only regret is not calling them sooner, because they made the process absolutely effortless. For someone struggling with a disability, the last thing they can handle is fighting for disability benefits. We are so grateful that my wife’s appeal was not only approved, but that they took the burden off her shoulders. Additionally, they were always respectful and kind to her, which speaks volumes. Our gratitude can never be expressed in a simple ‘thank you,’ but thank you so very much.
The Pages M.
Downtown, San Jose, CA
The Understanding, Professional, and Diligent Mr. LaPorte
Mr. LaPorte (Terry) has been my only and best experience working with a lawyer. I was initially really scared to apply to SSI because I thought my chronic health was not adequate enough. Mr. LaPorte worked with me in every way possible and was extremely professional. He always understands my concerns about questions I have with SSI now. I feel very at ease when my anxiety is high about reporting duties. Thank you so much Mr. LaPorte.
Samantha
Kevin LaPorte was instrumental in obtaining my Social Security Disability benefits. My benefits had been denied previously and I felt defeated, but Kevin was optimistic and gave me hope. Kevin and his staff were always very courteous and professional, willing to answer questions and to ease my anxiety. My daughter was my support person throughout this process and Kevin had no problem keeping us both up to date on my case. He is a very capable and caring individual who advocates aggressively for his clients. I wish Kevin continued success and recommend him highly.
Adrian Nopez
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.
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
I was Lucky to find Kevin LaPorte for my Social Security needs. I knew I would not be able to continue working with my health issues, so I made an appointment with him. He is a very nice guy, honest and straight to the point. I would recommend him to anyone needing help and can’t work any longer. Kevin is the guy to go to, because he is an honest, standup guy who will fight for you.
Bill R.
Terry has been assisting me with my SSI trial. I very much value and appreciate his time. I am grateful to have him helping me, as I feel confident in his abilities.
Holly M.
I was very down on my luck and got an appointment set up with LaPorte Law Firm. The lawyers were straight shooters. I appreciate them being very generous with their time and preparing me for the worst-case scenario. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone serious about their court case.
Eyez V.
Emeryville, CA
Overall, my experience was great. At first, I was worried and stressed about my particular case and the complicated process, but this firm, particularly Kevin LaPorte, made it easy. He was always accessible by phone and very communicative on the details. He had prompt responses to the many questions I had and I felt very confident in the firm’s knowledge and experience in Social Security Disability law.
Preston Skeath
I would recommend LaPorte Law Firm to anyone to help you through the Social Security Disability process. They are very helpful and professional.
Michael Mcnulty
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
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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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Receive your free case evaluation from our experienced team, who can review your medical history and discuss how Social Security law applies to 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.


