Testimonials
Read what our clients say about our work
Testimonials
Read what our clients say about our work
Videos and Ebooks
Watch professionals guide you through the disability application or appeal journey.
Read the tips and tricks of disability attorneys to maximize your chances.
Call Us, Toll Free
Let us help you
Book a Free Consultation
Check my case
Free Case Evaluation Tool
LaPorte Law Firm has won thousands of claims and appeals for our clients
Here’s what our clients have to say…
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
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.
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.
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.
I became disabled and had to find an attorney. After researching for one in my area, I found that this law firm was best suited for my needs. I contacted them, made an appointment with Kevin LaPorte, and never looked back. My attorney handled everything; we had one meeting and it was done. Yes, there was some waiting, but it was well worth it. His assistant, Sylvia, was very professional, answering all my questions or forwarding them. They would call to see how things are, send me things to fill out, or ask for things to be sent. This was extremely good for me, because I was not very mobile at the time. I would highly recommend this law firm if you need assistance. They handled the case very well and did all the paperwork and filing. I couldn’t be happier.
Cheryl Trevizo
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.
As I watched the judge raise her eyebrow at the mention of Terry LaPorte’s name, she quickly stated, ‘Oh, Terry LaPorte? I recall him being successful in quite a few cases…’ I felt proud to have him available to me and to people like us. The feeling of despair and uneasiness changed instantly. When I met him for the first time, I took note of all his awards and got to see how knowledgeable he is. If you are looking for the top attorney, Terry is my pick.
Christina T.
LaPorte Law Firm is awesome. They stood by me until my case was finished and we got what was owed to me. I can’t thank them enough. I would totally recommend them to anyone in need.
Sue Sarno
I expected a three-year battle to get disability benefits and ended up getting approved in just over six months! Every person at this firm knew exactly how to help me and treated me with compassion. If you’re considering getting a lawyer to help with disability benefits, you should 100% call LaPorte.
Ashley F.
After getting turned down for SSDI twice, I went to Kevin LaPorte for representation on my appeal. We just won our appeal before an administrative judge, bringing an end to a long two-and-a-half-year ordeal. Kevin LaPorte is everything that you’d want in an attorney — extremely knowledgeable, prompt, an excellent communicator, organized, direct, well prepared, and compassionate. He told me exactly what to expect at the hearing and correctly predicted many of the issues that the judge would delve into. I knew I was in excellent hands with a top-notch legal advocate. Additionally, his relaxed, calm, and confident manner made him a pleasure to work with. Finally, his legal assistant, Sylvia, is extremely organized, prompt, and thorough, making communication with his office very easy. With total confidence, I can tell you that this is the legal team you want representing you.
Ben S.
Terry is an expert in disability law. He has been practicing disability law for several years and has successfully handled thousands of cases. He is a very kind, caring, and intelligent man who has dedicated his career to helping the disabled, which I admire greatly. I truly respect and trust him as an individual and as an attorney.
Elena W.
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
Tired of going it alone?
Get the assistance you need in three easy steps.
Free consultation call
Book a free 30- to 60-minute consultation call with us so we can assess your situation.
Evaluation by experts
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.
Get started
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.
