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 was referred to LaPorte Law Firm several years ago by another lawyer who was not able to help me with my case. After meeting Terry LaPorte, I understood why he had been recommended. From the very first visit, he showed a genuine interest in who I am as an individual and was compassionate in helping me accomplish what I needed. Terry is a good listener and made me feel immediately comfortable. His knowledge of his business and the laws and regulations surrounding it gave me the confidence that I was at the right place. The process turned out to be very timely, made things incredibly easy for me, and was a great success. What I still find gratifying is that years later, if I have a question, I can call Terry, and his willingness to help is just as awesome as it was the day I hired LaPorte Law Firm.
Daunell S.
Two words: we won!
James Alvares
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
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.
I’m really glad you guys were there for me in my time of need. You can be sure that I will be calling on you if I or someone in my family needs help.
Charles Bryley
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
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.
From the moment I met Kevin LaPorte, I felt at ease. He was friendly and courteous; he went over everything and didn’t talk down to me at any time. Everything went according to the time line he presented and all documents arrived on time. His staff were a great help to us as well, especially Sylvia, who was friendly and helpful. I want to thank Kevin and his team for making what could have been a very difficult process seem like a breeze.
Mark P.
Terry LaPorte is quite frankly the only disability attorney. I cannot imagine that anyone could hold a candle to him. I had been urged by many of my friends to apply for disability and kept putting it off. When I finally applied, I was turned down. A friend then recommended Terry; I called him and he immediately invited me into his office, no time wasted. Everything then fell into place. Terry is a kind, caring, and honest gentleman. He is well read in disability law and he used that knowledge to win my case. If you are in need of the best disability attorney, let me tell you something: you need Terry LaPorte!
Sylvia E.
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
I cannot say enough great things about Terry. He has decades of specialized legal knowledge and experience in disability law and it shows. In addition to his level of competence, he is such a genuine person. He regularly demonstrated how much he cares about me. One of the things I particularly appreciated was how responsive he was to my numerous inquiries. He consistently responded to me in a very timely way, whether it was responding with an email or calling me on the phone. Attorneys often do not show this level of professionalism, so it’s refreshing to work with an attorney who does.
I prevailed in my disability claim, which was not straightforward, as it involved an ‘invisible disability.’ Terry was able to present convincing arguments during my disability hearing and I could tell how experienced and confident he is in that environment. After my hearing, he would track the status of my case and keep me updated whenever there was any movement in the process. I could tell by his actions that he was dedicated to making sure he did all he could to assure I prevailed.
Jennifer E.
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.
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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.
