Denied for SSDI in Long Beach? You are not out of options.
Top 10 Disability Lawyers in Long Beach, CA
Most Social Security disability claims are denied the first time. A good Long Beach disability lawyer costs you nothing up front and is paid only if you win. Here are eight firms that handle SSDI and SSI claims for Long Beach-area residents, each verified against at least two independent sources.
Updated June 02, 202612 min readEditorially independent
If Social Security turned down your disability claim, that denial is not the end. Roughly two-thirds of initial SSDI and SSI claims in California are denied, and many of those people go on to win benefits at the hearing stage - especially with a lawyer who knows the local administrative law judges and how to build the medical record.
Here is the part that surprises people: a disability lawyer almost never charges you up front. Social Security caps the fee by federal law at 25% of your back pay, up to a set dollar limit, and the lawyer is paid only if you win. Your ongoing monthly benefit is never touched. That means the cost of good representation is low and the downside of trying is close to zero.
The firms below all handle Social Security disability for Long Beach-area claimants, from the first application through reconsideration, the hearing before an administrative law judge, the Appeals Council, and federal court if it comes to that. We verified each one against at least two independent sources and excluded national lead-generation services that are not actual local law firms.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area disability practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Rohlfing & Kalagian, LLP
Long Beach, CASocial Security disability firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, disability appeals, reconsideration, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council, federal court appeals
Rohlfing & Kalagian has focused exclusively on Social Security Disability and SSI claims since 1985, working out of an office on E. Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach. The firm handles a high volume of Social Security claims each year and is a frequent referral destination for other attorneys who need help with disability appeals. It represents claimants at every level, including federal court.
Why they made the list: Long Beach's most established SSDI-focused firm, practicing since 1985 and listed in Justia's and Avvo's Long Beach Social Security directories.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, initial claims, reconsideration, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council
Based on Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, West Coast Disability Legal Center helps people who can no longer work pursue SSDI and SSI benefits from the initial filing through the hearing. Attorney Megan F. DiTolla has appeared in well over a thousand Social Security disability and SSI hearings across the Western United States.
Why they made the list: Named in Expertise.com's Long Beach disability lawyers list, with a strong Avvo profile and Super Lawyers listings.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Los Angeles, CA (serves Long Beach)Social Security disability firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, disability claims, denied-claim appeals, ALJ hearings
Devermont & Devermont is a long-running family practice serving Long Beach and the wider Los Angeles area. Across three generations the firm reports handling a very large number of Social Security disability cases, helping clients complete applications and representing them before administrative law judges when benefits are denied. Attorney Derek Devermont is a Super Lawyers-selected Social Security disability attorney.
Why they made the list: Named in Expertise.com's Long Beach disability list, with Derek Devermont selected to Super Lawyers.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Serves Long Beach, CASocial Security disability firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, initial applications, appeals, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council
Roeschke Law is a disability-focused practice led by founding attorney Kiel J. Roeschke, a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, that extends its services to Long Beach clients. The firm guides claimants through every level of the SSDI and SSI process, from the initial application through hearings and appeals.
Why they made the list: Named in Expertise.com's Long Beach disability list, with founder Kiel Roeschke holding an Avvo profile carrying peer endorsements.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Encino, CA (serves Long Beach)Social Security disability firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, eligibility review, initial claims, appeals, disability hearings, federal court
Disability Advocates Group is a Southern California firm led by managing attorney Michelle J. Shvarts that maintains a dedicated Long Beach service page. The team assists clients from the eligibility evaluation through initial claims, appeals, ALJ hearings, and federal court, and clients pay no attorney fee until benefits are secured.
Why they made the list: Michelle Shvarts is recognized by Super Lawyers (Rising Stars) and holds Avvo Top Contributor and Client's Choice awards.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Sherman Oaks, CA (serves Long Beach)SSDI / SSI & injury firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, long-term disability, disability appeals
Pisegna & Zimmerman is a full-service firm with decades of combined experience in SSI, SSDI, and personal injury law, and maintains a dedicated Long Beach Social Security practice page. Attorney William M. Zimmerman is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives, and the office serves clients in multiple languages including Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, and Cambodian.
Why they made the list: William Zimmerman holds the Avvo Top Contributor award and the firm carries the Avvo Client's Choice badge plus Martindale and Lawyers.com profiles.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has represented California workers since 1956 and operates a Long Beach office among its statewide locations. The firm guides individuals through every stage of the Social Security disability application and appeals process on a contingency basis, and is well regarded for pairing disability work with workers' compensation representation.
Why they made the list: Maintains an actual Long Beach office with a dedicated Social Security disability page, with multiple Super Lawyers-listed attorneys.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Anaheim, CA (serves Long Beach area)Social Security disability firm
Practice focus: SSDI, SSI, workers' compensation, initial claims, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council, federal court appeals
The Law Offices of Troy D. Monge is an Anaheim-based disability firm whose founder has more than 20 years of experience representing disabled claimants throughout California, including the Long Beach area. The firm handles cases at every level, from the initial application through ALJ hearings, the Appeals Council, federal district court, and the Ninth Circuit.
Why they made the list: Troy Monge holds an Avvo Social Security and disability attorney profile plus Justia, Martindale, and FindLaw listings.
Fee structure
Contingency (federally capped, no fee unless you win)
Tell us a little about your condition and where your claim stands. We will connect you with a Long Beach disability lawyer who handles cases like yours. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Long Beach
Ask how many hearings they have actually worked. The hearing before an administrative law judge is where most cases are won. You want someone who appears at the Long Beach and greater Los Angeles hearing offices regularly, not a firm that files paperwork and disappears.
Confirm they handle your stage. Some outfits only take cases that already have a hearing scheduled. If you are at the application or reconsideration stage, make sure the firm will represent you from where you are now.
Make sure the fee is the standard federal contingency. No legitimate Social Security firm should ask for money up front. The fee is set by federal rule - 25% of back pay up to the cap - and comes out only if you win.
Look for medical-record muscle. Winning a disability case is largely about evidence. The best firms know how to get the right records and opinions from your doctors and tie them to Social Security's exact criteria.
Check that someone will actually take your call. Disability cases drag on for months. You want a firm that returns calls and keeps you posted, not one where you are a file number.
What disability help typically costs in Long Beach
Social Security disability fees are unusual because the federal government sets them. You do not pay by the hour and you do not pay up front. Here is how it works in Long Beach and everywhere else:
Up-front cost. $0 at every legitimate firm. Representation is contingency-based.
Attorney fee if you win. 25% of your past-due benefits (back pay), capped by federal law - the cap is set by SSA and adjusts over time. The fee is approved by Social Security.
If you lose. You owe no attorney fee.
Case costs. Small out-of-pocket costs for medical records or reports may apply - usually under a few hundred dollars. Ask the firm to put this in writing.
Your monthly benefit. Untouched. The fee comes only from back pay, never from your ongoing monthly check.
Because the fee structure is fixed by law, you are not choosing a disability lawyer on price - they all charge the same way. You are choosing on experience, communication, and how hard they work your medical record.
How long it takes
Social Security disability is a waiting game, and California's hearing backlogs are real. Here is a realistic timeline for a Long Beach claim:
Initial application decision. Roughly 3-6 months. Most are denied.
Reconsideration. Another 3-6 months. Most are denied again - this stage is largely a formality before the hearing.
Hearing before a judge. This is the long wait: often 9-15 months from request to hearing date, depending on the hearing office backlog. This is also where representation matters most.
Decision after the hearing. Usually a few weeks to a couple of months after the hearing. Approval rates are much higher here, especially with a lawyer.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a disability lawyer in Long Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many disability matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Long Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most disability matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Disability attorney in Long Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about disability lawyers in Long Beach
What conditions qualify for Social Security disability?
There is no automatic list. Social Security looks at whether your condition - physical, mental, or a combination - keeps you from sustaining full-time work, not at the diagnosis alone. Serious back conditions, heart and lung disease, cancer, severe mental health conditions, and combinations of impairments can all qualify with the right evidence.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid. SSI is need-based for people with very limited income and resources. Some people qualify for both. A Long Beach disability lawyer can tell you which applies to you.
How much does a Long Beach disability lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. The fee is 25% of your back pay up to a federal cap, paid only if you win, and approved by Social Security. Your ongoing monthly benefit is never reduced.
Should I get a lawyer for the initial application or wait?
You can get one at any stage, but having representation early can help build the medical record correctly from the start. Many people hire a lawyer after the first denial, which is also fine.
What is back pay?
If you win, you may be owed past-due benefits dating back to your established onset date, minus any waiting period. Your attorney's fee comes only from this back pay.
Do I have to go to a hearing?
Often yes, because most claims are denied before the hearing stage. The hearing is a conversation with a judge about your condition and your daily limits, not a trial. Your lawyer prepares you in advance.
Can I work at all while applying?
Limited work may be allowed, but earning above Social Security's substantial gainful activity limit can disqualify you. Talk to a lawyer before taking on work while your claim is pending.
How long do I have to appeal a denial?
Generally 60 days from the date on your denial notice. Missing that deadline can force you to start over, so act quickly and call a lawyer as soon as you are denied.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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