The top-rated social security disability lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota is Premier Disability Services, LLC, rated 4.4 stars across 2,404 reviews. Other highly rated options include Hoglund Law, Greeman Toomey PLLC, Livgard, Lloyd & Christel PLLP. This directory lists 16 social security disability lawyers serving Minneapolis.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premier Disability Services, LLC | 7225 Northland Dr N # 300 | (952) 236-4900 |
| 2 | Hoglund Law | 225 South 6th St Suite 3900 RM. 143 | (612) 294-0070 |
| 3 | Greeman Toomey PLLC | 250 2nd Ave S #120 | (612) 332-3252 |
| 4 | Livgard, Lloyd & Christel PLLP | 2701 University Ave SE #208 | (612) 825-7777 |
| 5 | Madia Law LLC | Employment Lawyers Serving Minneapolis | IDS Center, 4155, 80 S 8th St | (612) 349-2729 |
| 6 | Cooper Law, LLC | 825 Nicollet Mall # 925 | (612) 568-4529 |
| 7 | Hellmuth & Johnson | 8050 W 78th St | (952) 941-4005 |
| 8 | Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid | 111 N 5th St #100 | (877) 696-6529 |
| 9 | Reitan Law Office, PLLC | 80 S 8th St UNIT 900 | (612) 424-6011 |
| 10 | Michael Schultz Law Firm | 330 2nd Ave S #100 | (612) 412-4916 |
Premier Disability Services, LLC serves clients throughout the Minneapolis metro area and surrounding Hennepin County. It focuses exclusively on Social Security Disability claims, helping individuals navigate the application and appeal processes for both SSDI and SSI benefits. The firm assists clients with gathering necessary medical documentation and submitting complete claim forms. Its work also includes guiding clients through reconsideration requests and representing them at hearings before an administrative law judge.
Hoglund Law operates in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focusing on Social Security disability cases through the application and appeals processes. The firm advises clients on claim requirements, assists with gathering medical records, and handles reconsideration requests and administrative hearings before an administrative law judge. Office staff return phone calls and manage case updates for ongoing claims. They represent individuals in need of disability benefits, including single-family homeowners, apartment residents, and persons who work in retail or restaurants.
Greeman Toomey PLLC helps clients in and around Minneapolis navigate Social Security Disability claims. Its attorneys assist with initial applications, reconsiderations, and appeals before the Social Security Administration. The firm guides individuals through the documentation and hearing processes required to establish eligibility for disability benefits. It also handles requests for continuing benefits reviews. The services extend to those living with long-term medical conditions that prevent substantial work. Greeman Toomey PLLC represents clients in single-family homes, apartments, and commercial properties like retail and restaurants.
Livgard, Lloyd & Christel PLLP serves disabled individuals in the Minneapolis area who are applying for Social Security Disability benefits. This legal office assists clients with the initial application process, gathering necessary medical evidence, and representing them at hearings before administrative law judges if a claim is initially denied. Their work focuses on navigating the complex requirements of Social Security Administration rules. They also extend their disability law services to clients in nearby St. Paul.
Madia Law LLC assists clients in Minneapolis and the surrounding communities with Social Security Disability claims, handling both initial applications and appeals for denied benefits. The firm focuses on navigating the complex paperwork required by the Social Security Administration and gathering necessary medical evidence to support each case. It typically works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no upfront costs and only a fee if their claim is approved.
Cooper Law, LLC focuses on Social Security Disability claims for clients in Minneapolis. The firm assists individuals throughout the application, reconsideration, and hearing processes. It works to navigate the complexities of Social Security Administration requirements for both initial and denied claims. Residents facing a loss of income due to a long-term disability often seek help when their condition prevents them from holding a job. The firm also provides guidance during winter months when cold weather exacerbates many chronic medical conditions.
At Hellmuth & Johnson in Minneapolis, MN, clients face the difference between a single initial consultation on a disability claim and the ongoing representation through the multi-step appeals process. Their practice covers Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income hearings against administrative law judges. This service operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning payment comes only upon a successful award of benefits, as needed for each stage of a client’s case.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves St. Cloud and the surrounding communities, handling Social Security Disability claims for local residents. It assists individuals through the complex application and appeals process for benefits. The firm generally reviews medical records and earnings history and then files the necessary paperwork on behalf of its clients. It typically handles appeals through a series of formal reconsiderations and hearings with an administrative law judge.
Reitan Law Office, PLLC serves Minneapolis residents and workers who can no longer hold a job due to a disabling medical condition. The firm helps clients navigate the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income application process, from initial filings through appeals and hearings. Its practice focuses exclusively on securing benefits for those with long-term physical or mental impairments. Reitan Law Office additionally covers clients throughout the western suburbs, including the city of St. Louis Park.
Winter in Minneapolis often brings new concerns about conditions that limit or end a person’s ability to work. Michael Schultz Law Firm supports local residents navigating the process of seeking Social Security Disability benefits. They help clients understand eligibility requirements, gather necessary medical documentation, and prepare applications or appeals for hearings. The firm’s work focuses on presenting each claimant’s case to the Social Security Administration. An initial assessment is offered to review disability history and discuss whether benefits may be available.
What Does a a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Minneapolis Cost?
The cost of hiring a Social Security disability lawyer in Minnesota is strictly regulated by the Social Security Administration. Attorneys and accredited non-attorney representatives charge a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. The maximum fee is 25 percent of your past-due benefits, capped at $7,200 as of 2024. For example, if your back pay award is $20,000, the fee would be $5,000 (25 percent), but if your back pay is $40,000, the fee is capped at $7,200, not $10,000. Some representatives may also charge for expenses like copying medical records or postage, but these costs are typically small and disclosed in writing upfront.
This fee structure applies to all stages of the claim, including initial applications, reconsiderations, hearings, and appeals. No lawyer can charge a fee without SSA approval, and you will sign a fee agreement that the SSA reviews. If you lose your case, you owe nothing for the lawyers time. This is general information about typical fee arrangements in Minnesota and does not constitute legal advice. You should discuss specific costs with any representative you consider hiring.
About social security disability lawyers in Minneapolis
Navigating the Social Security disability system in Minneapolis, Minnesota requires a clear understanding of two distinct programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is a payroll-tax-funded insurance program for individuals who have worked enough years and paid into the system, typically requiring 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years for applicants over age 31. SSI, by contrast, is a needs-based program funded by general tax revenues, with no work credit requirement but strict income and asset limits (under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple as of 2024). Both programs use the same medical standard: you must have a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and it must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which in 2024 is $1,550 per month for non-blind applicants and $2,590 for blind applicants. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a Blue Book listing of impairments that can qualify automatically if your condition meets specific criteria, but many applicants must prove their residual functional capacity (RFC) is so limited that no full-time work exists in the national economy.
The application process for disability benefits in Minneapolis 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 1811 Chicago Avenue South. Processing an initial application typically takes three to six months, but denial rates remain high: approximately 60 to 70 percent of initial claims are denied nationwide, and Minnesota figures are similar. If denied, you must file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days of the denial notice, a step that also carries a high denial rate (around 80 to 85 percent). Most successful claimants ultimately prevail at the hearing level before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). If the ALJ denies your claim, you may appeal to the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, and if that fails, you can file a civil action in federal district court. Each appeal step has strict 60-day deadlines, and missing them can force you to start over entirely.
Minnesota-specific factors significantly affect your claim. The state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office, located in St. Paul, makes the initial medical decision on all Minnesota claims. Minneapolis claimants who appeal to a hearing will appear before one of two hearing offices: the Minneapolis hearing office at 1501 Fourth Street South or the St. Paul hearing office at 332 Minnesota Street. Average wait times for an ALJ hearing in Minnesota have fluctuated but generally range from 12 to 18 months from the hearing request date, though this can vary by office and caseload. Local approval rates at the hearing level in Minnesota hover around 50 to 55 percent, slightly above the national average, but these rates depend heavily on the specific ALJ assigned to your case. The Minneapolis hearing office has a mix of ALJs with different approval histories, so understanding local patterns can be valuable.
Medical evidence is the foundation of any disability claim in Minneapolis. The SSA gives greatest weight to treating physician records, especially those documenting a longitudinal treatment history of at least 12 months. A well-supported opinion from your primary care doctor or specialist, including specific functional limitations, carries more weight than a one-time consultative examination arranged by DDS. The Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment is critical: it describes what you can still do despite your impairments, including sitting, standing, lifting, and mental tasks. For mental health claims, a treating psychiatrist or psychologist should provide a Medical Source Statement detailing limitations in concentration, pace, social interaction, and adaptation to workplace stress. Strong medical evidence includes objective findings like MRI results, nerve conduction studies, lab work, and consistent clinical notes, not just subjective complaints. In Minneapolis, where many claimants have access to major healthcare systems like Hennepin Healthcare and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, comprehensive medical records can strengthen a case significantly.
When hiring a representative in Minneapolis, you should understand the fee structure. Social Security disability attorneys and non-attorney representatives both work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win. The SSA caps fees at the lesser of 25 percent of your past-due benefits or $7,200, as of 2024. This cap applies to both attorneys and accredited non-attorney representatives, though non-attorneys must be approved by the SSA. There are no upfront costs for representation; the fee is paid directly from your back pay award, and if you lose, you owe nothing. Attorneys must pass the bar exam and are regulated by state bar associations, while non-attorney representatives must pass an SSA exam and meet continuing education requirements. Both can represent you at hearings and appeals, but attorneys can also handle federal court appeals, which require a licensed lawyer. In Minneapolis, most claimants choose attorneys for the added legal protections and court access.
After approval, your benefits include a lump-sum back pay award covering the period from your application date (or established onset date) to the month of approval. Back pay is calculated based on your date of entitlement, and SSDI back pay is typically paid in a single lump sum, while SSI back pay over $2,000 may be paid in installments. Medicare eligibility for SSDI begins 24 months after your entitlement date, while SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid immediately in Minnesota, which has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. You must also be aware of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), which the SSA conducts periodically to verify you remain disabled. For SSDI recipients, a Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to work for nine months (within a rolling 60-month period) without losing benefits, regardless of earnings. After the TWP, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility, where you can still receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below SGA. The Ticket to Work program offers vocational rehabilitation and employment support without triggering a medical review. Understanding these rules is essential to maintaining benefits while exploring work options in the Minneapolis job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What local laws or regulations in Minneapolis affect Social Security disability claims?
Minneapolis does not have local laws that change federal Social Security disability rules, but Minnesota state law affects SSI recipients through the Minnesota Supplemental Aid program, which provides additional cash assistance to SSI recipients who are aged, blind, or disabled. Additionally, Minnesota has a state-run Disability Determination Services office that applies federal guidelines, and the Minneapolis hearing office follows SSA regulations. Claimants should also be aware that Minnesota has no state income tax on Social Security benefits, which can affect financial planning after approval.
How much does a Social Security disability lawyer cost in Minneapolis?
Social Security disability lawyers in Minneapolis charge a contingency fee capped by federal law at the lesser of 25 percent of your past-due benefits or $7,200 as of 2024. This means you pay nothing upfront, and the fee is deducted directly from your back pay award only if you win your case. Some firms may charge for costs like medical record retrieval or postage, but these are typically minimal and often waived. Always ask for a written fee agreement before hiring.
How long does the Social Security disability process take in Minnesota?
The initial application decision in Minnesota typically takes three to six months. If denied, reconsideration adds another three to five months. The longest wait is for an Administrative Law Judge hearing, which in Minneapolis and St. Paul currently averages 12 to 18 months from the hearing request date. If you appeal to the Appeals Council or federal court, add another 12 to 24 months. Most successful claimants who appeal to a hearing wait two to three years total from application to approval.