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…

If problems arise when dealing with Social Security Disability, calling LaPorte Law Firm is the best thing you can do. Professional, experienced, confident, and reassuring are a few words I’d use when recommending them.

Mitch Boo

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

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.

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 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

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.

Two words: we won!

James Alvares

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

I had excellent service from LaPorte Law Firm. I highly recommend them for all your needs.

John Spooner

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.

In November 2015, after one year of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and three surgeries, I was faced with the challenge of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. I knew I was not up to managing the complex application process. We found Kevin LaPorte, who came highly recommended. From our first meeting, Kevin and Sylvia Marichalar, were kind, supportive, and totally professional. They remained so throughout the process, guiding us through the maze of paperwork and translating the legalese. I especially appreciated Kevin’s support in preparing me for my court date in front of a judge. He accompanied me to the hearing and helped me remain calm. I received a favorable judgment and believe it is fully due to the help and support from Kevin and Sylvia.

Terrance N.

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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.

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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.

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Everything You Need To Know About
The Social Security Disability application process