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 an expert in disability law. He has been practicing disability law for several years and has successfully handled thousands of cases. He is a very kind, caring, and intelligent man who has dedicated his career to helping the disabled, which I admire greatly. I truly respect and trust him as an individual and as an attorney.

Elena W.

Superb representation from Mr. Terry LaPorte. He is professional, brilliant, respectful, and a very kind human being. He is experienced and answers your questions patiently. He explains things in simple terms, making the confusing and complex disability process much easier to understand. His staff, including Maria, are helpful and offer outstanding service. Mr. LaPorte’s law firm is the best.

Reyna R.

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.

LaPorte Law Firm was very helpful and successful in helping my wife with her case. They were very professional and were well prepared at the hearing, so the judge had no questions. I would recommend them to everyone.

Michael Johnson

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 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.

I can’t recommend LaPorte Law Firm highly enough. After four long years, two denials, and finally a hearing, I was awarded disability benefits thanks to their dedication and expertise. My case was complex and required constant record updates, but attorney Kevin LaPorte and legal assistant Sylvia Marichalar guided me every step of the way. They always responded quickly, eased my worries, and gave me confidence to keep going through an overwhelming process.

When it came time for my hearing, Kevin’s preparation and deep experience made all the difference. He helped me know what to expect and supported me in presenting my case clearly and confidently. Even after I received a favorable decision, Kevin took the time to explain what it meant for my future.

I’ve since referred friends to LaPorte Law Firm in Oakland because they are truly a beacon of hope for people navigating the Social Security Disability process. They combine professionalism, compassion, and genuine care for their clients — qualities that mean everything when you’re facing one of life’s most uncertain moments.

Rachel Newell

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.

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.

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

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 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

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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