Testimonials

Read what our clients say about our work

Testimonials

Read what our clients say about our work

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After over 40 years of service,

LaPorte Law Firm has won thousands of claims and appeals for our clients

Here’s what our clients have to say…

Terry is the guy to go to for SSDI! He is very thorough, kind, and efficient. He really knows how to get things done! I was approved within months, when it usually takes years.

Christina Loza

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

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

If you’re looking for a top-notch Social Security Disability lawyer, look no further. Terry LaPorte is your guy. He’s knowledgeable, experienced, efficient, and charming — truly the best of the best!

Elizabeth C.

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.

Our experience with La Porte Law Firm was, first and foremost, respectful and very humanitarian. As a lawyer, Mr. LaPorte always kept the goal in mind and worked very hard to have all the relevant information. He reviewed every single record, and we felt very good having him represent our son. We are most grateful to have had a positive outcome since the Social Security rules are so strict.

Gloria Carballo

Wow! I am so impressed with Mr. LaPorte. He is the kind of man you hope for when you need a lawyer. I did a fair amount of research on Bay Area lawyers who handle disability and found that most firms don’t want to take your case until it’s time for an appeal, because they make more money that way. But that is not in your best interest. I went to Terry before starting my SSDI application. He took my case, did all the upfront work, and I was approved in three months. I seriously doubt that I would have had such a great result if Terry was not in my corner. He is clearly about helping people, and not just making money. I am so grateful to him.

Keith C.

Terry went above and beyond to get my brother approved for his Social Security benefits — jumping through many hoops in what should have been an easy process that was complicated by the unusual circumstances of the case. He fought through red tape and managed to get a successful outcome. His integrity and work ethic are fantastic!

Debbie Klahr

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.

When I was having an extremely difficult time dealing with my disability case, contacting LaPorte Law Firm was the best decision I could have made. Everyone at the firm was extremely kind and helpful in dealing with my situation. Thanks to them, I got what I needed!

Najib Nawab

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

Imagine getting hurt at work. Then imagine the people supposed to help you with the complex Social Security process tell you they won’t. Thankfully, I met Mr. Kevin LaPorte, who listened and helped me. Now, I am living life and forever grateful to LaPorte Law Firm for their help, professionalism, and especially their humanity.

B.M.

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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:

How we can help:

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.
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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.

Watch a free video presentation by the attorneys at LaPorte Law Firm – How to prepare for a Social Security disability hearing

Get your Social Security disability case reviewed by an attorney for free or ask us a question
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Everything You Need To Know About
The Social Security Disability application process