A smiling older man rests both hands on his wooden cane in his living room

Help with your Social Security disability claim, one step at a time.

We help people across New Mexico apply for SSDI and SSI, appeal denials and get ready for hearings. Your first call and case evaluation are free, and there is no fee unless you win back pay.

Start a free case evaluation (505) 555-0136

Hablamos español
Phone, video or home visits
We never promise approval

Find help for your situation

Or choose where you are in the process:

SSDI: for people who worked

Social Security Disability Insurance is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn work credits. It usually comes with Medicare after two years of benefits.

About SSDI

SSI: for limited income and savings

Supplemental Security Income helps adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and savings, even with little or no work history. In New Mexico it usually comes with Medicaid.

About SSI

A 30-second check

Not sure which program fits? Tick what is true.

This check points you to a place to start. It is not a decision and it is not legal advice. Only Social Security decides who qualifies, and many things it looks at, like your medical records and age, are not on this list.

Rather talk it through? Call (505) 555-0136 or en español (505) 555-0137.

What Social Security actually weighs

Your medical records, and how steady your treatment has been
Your work history, including what your past jobs asked of you
Your age, education and skills, since the rules change at 50 and again at 55

Tick everything that is true for you

A health condition keeps me from working full time It has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months I worked and paid Social Security taxes in most of the last 10 years My household has limited income and savings I got a denial letter from Social Security

Tick what is true to see where you might start.

Your answers stay on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Start a free case evaluation

How we help

See all services

SSDI applications

Social Security Disability Insurance is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes. We help you file a complete, careful first application.
SSI claims

Supplemental Security Income helps adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and savings, even if they have not worked much.
Denied claim appeals

A denial is not the end. We help you request reconsideration within the deadline and add the records the first review was missing.
Disability hearings

If reconsideration is denied, you can ask for a hearing with a judge. We prepare your evidence, prepare you, and stand with you at the hearing.
Back pay and onset dates

Back pay covers months you waited while your claim moved through the system. We check the onset date and the math in your award letter.
Continuing disability reviews

Social Security reviews many cases from time to time. If they say your benefits will stop, act fast: the first days after the notice matter most.

How a claim moves, step by step

A disability claim can pass through up to five stages. Most first applications are denied, so many people go through more than one. At each step we tell you what is happening, what you need to do, and what you do not.

An older couple goes over medical information with a doctor at a kitchen table

1

Application

An examiner at the state disability agency, with a medical consultant

You apply online, by phone or at an office. The state agency gathers your medical records and may send you to an exam it pays for.
2

Reconsideration

A different examiner at the same state agency

A fresh review of your whole file, plus anything new. It is still a paper review. You do not meet the examiner.
3

Hearing

An administrative law judge (ALJ)

You speak with the judge by phone, by video or in person. Experts may testify about your health or about jobs. Many claims are decided here.
4

Appeals Council

Social Security's Appeals Council

The council reviews the judge's decision for errors. It can deny review, decide the case, or send it back for a new hearing.
5

Federal court

A United States district court

A lawsuit that asks a federal judge to review Social Security's decision. It is based on the written record, not new testimony.

How the process works

Example outcomes, good and bad

These examples are illustrations written for this sample site. Every claim is different, and past results do not predict yours.

More reviews and results

Example outcome · Hearing

Approved at a hearing after two denials

Former warehouse worker, 56, back and knee conditions

The situation: Denied at application and at reconsideration. The file had little about how long he could stand or walk.
What we did: We added an updated MRI and a statement from his treating doctor about standing limits, then questioned the vocational expert about cane use.
How it ended: The judge found him disabled, with an onset date a few months later than he first claimed.

Approved

Example outcome · Reconsideration

Approved at reconsideration

Former home health aide, 49, lupus and depression

The situation: Her first application left out her rheumatologist and her counselor.
What we did: We requested the missing records and therapy notes and filed the appeal well inside the 60 days.
How it ended: Approved at reconsideration, without a hearing.

Approved

Example outcome · Hearing and Appeals Council

Denied at the hearing

Former office manager, 44, chronic migraines

The situation: Two denials before the hearing. Her treatment had gaps when she lost insurance.
What we did: We submitted a headache diary and neurologist records, and asked the Appeals Council to review the judge's decision.
How it ended: The judge found she could do some desk work. The Appeals Council declined review. We explained her options, including a new application, and she owed no fee.

Denied

What clients say

Sample reviews written for this demo.

"I was denied twice and ready to give up. Daniel called me back the same afternoon and explained the hearing step like I was a person, not a file number."

Rosa M. · Albuquerque · Hearing

"The prep call before my hearing calmed me down. I knew who would be there and what they would ask."

Andre W. · Santa Fe · Hearing

"We did not win my claim. They explained why, went over my options, and did not charge me a fee."

Mike R. · Belen · Hearing

What it costs

Free to start

The first call and the case evaluation cost nothing, and you are under no obligation.
No win, no fee

If you win and back pay is owed, the fee is generally 25% of back pay, up to a cap set by Social Security, which must approve it.
Monthly checks stay yours

Under a fee agreement, we are never paid from the monthly benefits you get after approval.

How our fees work

Need to talk to someone?

Call (505) 555-0136 and a person answers during business hours. Daniel or Marisol will listen, check any deadline on your letter, and tell you plainly whether we can help. Atendemos en español at (505) 555-0137, and we arrange interpreters for other languages at no cost.

Call (505) 555-0136 Other ways to reach us

A smiling intake specialist wearing a headset talks with a caller at her desk

Intake line

Weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon
(505) 555-0136
Línea en español

Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(505) 555-0137
Case status for clients

Mon to Fri, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Press 2 when you call
Phone and video meetings

Anywhere in New Mexico, by appointment
Home and hospital visits

Albuquerque area, when travel is hard for you
Email

Answered within one business day
help@bacaferris.example

Help with your Social Security disability claim, one step at a time.

Find help for your situation

SSDI: for people who worked

SSI: for limited income and savings

Not sure which program fits? Tick what is true.

How we help

SSDI applications

SSI claims

Denied claim appeals

Disability hearings

Back pay and onset dates

Continuing disability reviews

How a claim moves, step by step

Application

Reconsideration

Hearing

Appeals Council