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…
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.
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 clients. 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 system like a hot knife through butter. I highly recommend LaPorte Law Firm to anyone needing this type of representation. In my opinion, this is the only choice in this field of practice.
Sandy Dillon Stroppa
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.
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.
Kevin and Sylvia were extremely supportive, professional, and courteous throughout the entire appeals process. Kevin is not an overly aggressive attorney, but he is very experienced and knowledgeable about the process, and I believe that is why he wins favorable outcomes. He prepared me for the very long and invasive appeals process. He answered all of my questions and gave me very good advice on how to answer all of the judge’s questions. I would highly recommend LaPorte Law Firm to anyone who needs a knowledgeable, professional, and supportive attorney to help with Social Security Disability.
Cedric Strickland
I have known Terry LaPorte for over 20 years. When I had to have back surgery in 1998, Terry was highly recommended by a friend that Terry had also represented in a successful manner. From the moment I met Terry and his staff, I knew that I was in good hands. Within a short time, I was receiving my disability benefits. I was able to return to work five years after surgery; however, in 2017, I required Terry’s services once again, and within three to four months I was again receiving my disability benefits.
Ernie Zito
Two words: we won!
James Alvares
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.
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.
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.
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.
My spouse was entering into the scary world of disability and we needed guidance. Kevin LaPorte and Sylvia Marichalar were patient, understanding, and helped us through the red tape of Social Security the first time around when most are denied. No stress, no fuss, just straightforward professionals with a heart.
Ben C.
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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.
