The top-rated social security disability lawyer in Fresno, California is Peña & Bromberg, rated 4.9 stars across 802 reviews. Other highly rated options include Moseley Collins Law, Law Office of Melissa A. Proudian, A Professional Law Corporation, The Law Offices of Goldberg & Ibarra. This directory lists 18 social security disability lawyers serving Fresno.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peña & Bromberg | 3467 W Shaw Ave Ste. 100 | (559) 439-9700 |
| 2 | Moseley Collins Law | 2014 Tulare St #611 | (559) 777-5993 |
| 3 | Law Office of Melissa A. Proudian, A Professional Law Corporation | 1500 W Shaw Ave Suite 403 | (559) 554-1455 |
| 4 | The Law Offices of Goldberg & Ibarra | 925 N St | (559) 264-4878 |
| 5 | Tomassian Pimentel & Shapazian | 3419 W Shaw Ave | (559) 545-0383 |
| 6 | Wagner Law Group | 7815 N Palm Ave #410 | (559) 449-1800 |
| 7 | Milam Law Attorney | 330 N Fulton St | (559) 264-2800 |
| 8 | Attorney Gilbert Fisher | 758 E Bullard Ave STE 100 | (559) 554-2729 |
| 9 | Goldberg & Loren | 2416 W Shaw Ave STE 114 | (559) 629-8844 |
| 10 | Law Offices of Bryan K. Leiser | 6042 N Fresno St Suite 200 | (559) 900-1303 |
Peña & Bromberg serves the Fresno, California metro area and provides legal representation for individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits. The firm assists clients throughout the application and appeals process, helping them gather necessary medical evidence and complete required documentation. It also represents claimants at administrative hearings before the Social Security Administration. Specific services handled include initial disability claim filings and appeals for denied claims.
Moseley Collins Law is known for guiding Fresno residents through the complex Social Security disability claims process. The firm helps clients with initial applications and appeals for disability benefits when medical conditions prevent gainful employment. Attorneys work to compile necessary medical evidence and navigate administrative hearings. A specialty service this firm can add on is assisting with continuing disability reviews to maintain long-term benefit eligibility.
The Law Office of Melissa A. Proudian, A Professional Law Corporation provides legal representation for individuals seeking disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. They assist clients throughout the application, reconsideration, and hearing processes, requiring thorough documentation of medical conditions. They also offer guidance on appeals if initial claims are denied. The firm serves clients in Fresno, California, helping them navigate the complex rules of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. They work with people living in single-family homes, apartments, and other residential properties.
The Law Offices of Goldberg & Ibarra serves individuals in Fresno who are unable to work due to a disabling medical condition and need representation for their Social Security Disability claims. The firm assists clients with completing complex initial disability applications and guiding them through reconsideration appeals. It also prepares and presents evidence for hearings before administrative law judges when claims are initially denied. In addition to serving clients throughout Fresno, the office provides its legal services to residents in the neighboring city of Clovis.
Serving Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley communities, Tomassian Pimentel & Shapazian handles Social Security Disability claims. The firm assists individuals in navigating the application and appeals process for SSDI and SSI benefits. It works to gather necessary medical evidence and documentation to support each client’s case. The lawyers generally approach a typical case by thoroughly reviewing the applicant’s medical records and work history to build a detailed argument for the Social Security Administration.
Social Security Disability benefits involve a complex application process, while appeals require ongoing documentation of a worsening condition. Wagner Law Group in Fresno, California, assists clients throughout these stages. The firm helps individuals gather medical records and navigate administrative hearings when initial claims are denied. Their service covers both initial disability applications and appeals for denied cases in the Fresno area. Representation is offered on a one-time basis for a single hearing or as-needed for ongoing claim management.
Milam Law Attorney in Fresno, California focuses on Social Security Disability cases, guiding clients through the application and appeals process. The firm works to help individuals who are unable to work due to medical conditions gather necessary evidence and documentation. It assists with initial claims, reconsiderations, hearings, and reviews by the Social Security Administration. The seasonal concern it helps people address includes managing benefits while dealing with the increased medical and heating demands during the cold winter months in the Central Valley.
Attorney Gilbert Fisher in Fresno, California provides legal representation for individuals seeking Social Security Disability benefits. The practice handles the full process of applying for disability claims, from initial filings through appeals and hearings. This work includes gathering medical records, preparing applicants for administrative hearings, and communicating with government agencies on behalf of clients. The firm serves local claimants, including those working in offices, warehouses, and food service industries.
Spring and fall often bring an influx of new disability claims in Fresno, as fluctuating health conditions push applicants to seek help navigating Social Security benefits. Goldberg & Loren assists individuals throughout the local area with gathering necessary medical records and completing required federal forms. The firm reviews each case to identify the specific evidence that supports a claim for benefits. A consultation begins with a full review of the applicant’s work history, medical documentation, and current limitations to determine the appropriate next steps for filing an initial application.
What Does a a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Fresno Cost?
In California, social security disability lawyers and non-attorney representatives charge a contingency fee that is strictly regulated by the SSA. The fee is capped at the lesser of 25 percent of your past-due benefits or $7,200. This means if your back pay is $20,000, the maximum fee is $5,000 (25 percent). If your back pay is $40,000, the fee is capped at $7,200, not $10,000. You do not pay any upfront retainer or hourly fees. The SSA withholds the fee from your back pay and pays the representative directly. Some representatives may charge for out-of-pocket expenses like postage, copying, or medical record fees, but these are typically minimal and must be disclosed in the fee agreement.
This information is general and does not constitute legal advice. Fee structures and regulations may change, and individual cases vary. You should discuss all costs and fees with your representative during a free initial consultation.
About social security disability lawyers in Fresno
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two distinct federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provide financial support to individuals who cannot work due to a severe medical condition. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes and requires applicants to have earned sufficient work credits, typically 20 credits in the 10 years before their disability began, though younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. SSI, by contrast, is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and assets, regardless of their work history. Both programs use the same medical standard: the applicant must have a condition that meets or equals a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book, a manual of impairments, and must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). For 2025, the SGA threshold is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for blind applicants. If you earn above these amounts, the SSA will generally find you not disabled, regardless of your medical condition.
The application process for disability benefits in Fresno begins with an initial claim filed online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at the local Social Security office located at 2300 Tulare Street, Suite 100, Fresno, CA 93721. The SSA typically takes three to six months to process an initial application, though delays can occur if medical records are incomplete. Nationally, the SSA denies approximately 60 to 70 percent of initial applications, and Fresno’s rates mirror this trend. If denied, you have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration, which is reviewed by a different examiner at the state Disability Determination Services (DDS). Reconsideration denial rates are even higher, around 80 to 85 percent. If denied again, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is the most common path to approval. The hearing stage can take 12 to 18 months from the request date to a decision. If the ALJ denies your claim, you may appeal to the SSA’s Appeals Council within 60 days, and if that fails, you may file a civil action in federal district court within 60 days of the Council’s decision.
California-specific factors significantly affect disability claims in Fresno. The state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office, located in Sacramento, processes all initial and reconsideration claims for Fresno residents. Fresno claimants attend ALJ hearings at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) in Fresno, located at 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 100, Fresno, CA 93721. As of 2025, the average wait time for an ALJ hearing in Fresno is approximately 10 to 14 months from the hearing request date, though this can vary based on case complexity and the availability of medical evidence. Local approval rates at the ALJ level in Fresno are slightly above the national average, with approximately 50 to 55 percent of claimants receiving a favorable decision after a hearing. This is partly due to the agricultural and manual labor nature of the local economy, where physical impairments like back injuries, joint disorders, and respiratory conditions are common. The SSA also considers vocational factors such as age, education, and work history, which can benefit older workers or those with limited transferable skills.
Medical evidence is the cornerstone of any disability claim in Fresno. The SSA requires objective medical records from treating physicians, including clinical notes, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans. A treating physician’s opinion is given significant weight if it is well-supported by medical findings and consistent with the record. If your own doctor’s records are insufficient, the SSA may send you to a consultative examination (CE) at no cost to you, typically performed by a local physician contracted by DDS. A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment is then completed by a DDS medical consultant, which evaluates your ability to perform work-related activities such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, and concentrating. For mental health conditions, a psychiatric review technique form (PRTF) and a mental RFC are used to assess limitations in understanding, memory, social interaction, and adaptation. Strong medical evidence includes consistent treatment records over time, objective findings like MRI results or nerve conduction studies, and a clear statement from your doctor about your functional limitations. Vague or sporadic records, or a lack of specialist involvement, can weaken your claim.
When hiring a representative in Fresno, you should understand the fee structure and expectations. Social security disability lawyers and non-attorney representatives both work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. The SSA caps fees at the lesser of 25 percent of your past-due benefits (back pay) or $7,200. This fee is paid directly from your back pay award, and you do not pay any upfront costs. If your claim is denied at any stage, you owe nothing. Non-attorney representatives, such as disability advocates, must be approved by the SSA and charge the same fee cap. However, attorneys must be licensed to practice law in California, while non-attorney representatives do not need a law license. Both types of representatives can help you gather medical records, prepare for hearings, and argue your case before an ALJ. In Fresno, many representatives offer free initial consultations, so you can discuss your case without financial risk.
After the SSA approves your claim, you will receive a Notice of Award detailing your monthly benefit amount and back pay. Back pay is calculated from your established onset date of disability, minus a mandatory five-month waiting period for SSDI. For example, if your disability began on January 1, 2023, and you were approved in June 2025, your back pay would cover from June 2023 (after the five-month wait) to June 2025. SSI back pay begins the month after you file your application, with no waiting period. After approval, you become eligible for Medicare after 24 months of SSDI benefits, or for Medicaid immediately if you receive SSI. The SSA conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) periodically, typically every three to seven years for medical improvement expected cases, or every seven to 14 years for conditions unlikely to improve. You can also work while on SSDI through the Ticket to Work program, which includes a nine-month Trial Work Period (TWP) where you can earn any amount without losing benefits. In 2025, any month you earn over $1,160 counts as a TWP month. After the TWP, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) where benefits stop if you earn above SGA ($1,620 per month). You also receive Medicare coverage for at least 93 months after the TWP ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any California-specific laws or local court rules that affect social security disability hearings in Fresno?
Yes, California has specific rules for disability claims. The state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) uses California-specific vocational guidelines, such as considering agricultural and seasonal work patterns common in the Central Valley. Additionally, Fresno’s Office of Hearings Operations follows the SSA’s national hearing procedures but may schedule telephonic or video hearings more frequently due to the region’s size. California also has a state-funded program called the California Disability Insurance (SDI) for short-term disabilities, but this is separate from SSDI/SSI and does not affect your federal claim.
What are the typical costs and fees for hiring a social security disability lawyer in Fresno?
Social security disability lawyers in Fresno charge a contingency fee capped by the SSA at 25 percent of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $7,200. This fee is taken directly from your back pay award, so you pay nothing upfront. If you lose your case, you owe nothing. Some lawyers may charge for costs like medical record copying fees (typically $20 to $50), but these are usually deducted from your back pay or waived. Always ask about any additional costs during your free initial consultation.
How long does the entire social security disability process take in Fresno, California?
The process from initial application to a final decision can take 18 to 30 months in Fresno. The initial application takes 3 to 6 months, reconsideration takes 3 to 5 months, and the ALJ hearing wait is 10 to 14 months. If you appeal to the Appeals Council, add another 6 to 12 months. A federal court appeal can take 12 to 24 months. Most claimants who are approved receive their decision at the ALJ hearing stage. You can speed up the process by submitting complete medical records and responding promptly to SSA requests.