Testimonials

Read what our clients say about our work
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 has been assisting me with my SSI trial. I very much value and appreciate his time. I am grateful to have him helping me, as I feel confident in his abilities.

Holly M.

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.

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

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

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 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 was very lucky to have Kevin LaPorte represent me in my disability case. Apart from being extremely professional and knowledgeable when it comes to disability laws, he was very sensitive to my particular situation, always responding promptly to my emails or phone calls and never leaving any of my questions unanswered. He was with me all the way throughout the disability hearing and even after a favorable decision was reached in my case.

Igor S.

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.

We went to LaPorte Law Firm for an SS-related issue for my son, who was denied twice. After an 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 had been changed to a virtual hearing due to the pandemic, but Terry made sure we understood the process. Overall, everything went great, but the icing on the cake was that once we won the case, we were able to continue to check with Terry regarding parts of the process well into a year later. He was very responsive and always found time to talk to us and guide us. Without any hesitation, I will recommend Terry!

Gautham N.

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.

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.

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

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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. 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.

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

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