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…
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.
Two words: we won!
James Alvares
I highly recommend LaPorte Law Firm. Terry LaPorte and his team were genuine and professional. His knowledge and responsiveness got me the exact results I was looking for. The firm also made the process extremely easy and stress free for me. I sincerely appreciate Terry’s follow-ups and willingness to answer any of my questions as time passed by. Great choice!
Daunell Salvador
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 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.
If you are looking for an SSI lawyer, definitely contact LaPorte Law Firm. I was having a very difficult time dealing with my injury and not working, so I contacted them. I met with Kevin LaPorte who was very easy to talk to and agreed to take on my case. Then, Sylvia Marichalar took over. She was also very easy to talk to and worked tirelessly for me. She was very knowledgeable and supportive. I thought this process would take at least a year, but I was approved in just a couple of months. I am so grateful to LaPorte Law Firm.
Ann Bauer
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.
Thank you, Mr. LaPorte, for the hard work during the past year that you have been taking care of my case. You and Sylvia are always available when I have questions and have answered my questions in a very professional way.
Mir Farhad
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.
Great Lawyer
Mr. Laporte is very professional and I liked that he would contact me and be very detailed and kept me updated all along the case. His office is very professional and replied to all my emails within 24 hours or sooner.
Anonymous
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
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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.
