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470 reviews
Hammond Social Security Disability Lawyers
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50+
Years Focused on
SSD Claims -
NOSSCR
National Board
Leadership - 2 Languages English & Spanish
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$0
Fee Unless
You Win
Free Case Evaluation
Why Hammond Disability Claimants Choose Scully Disability Law
A Social Security claim can become complicated long before you ever appear before a judge. Medical records may not explain how often you need to rest. A job title may hide the physical or mental demands of the work. A denial may overlook an important limitation or apply Social Security’s rules in a way that needs closer review.
Scully Disability Law has spent decades working with exactly those details. Disability law is the focus of our practice, and our attorneys stay involved from the point we take your case through hearings and further appeals when appropriate.
Over 50 Years Of SSD Experience
Decades spent exclusively on Social Security Disability and SSI claims for Chicago and Chicagoland residents.
National Board Leadership
Our lead attorney serves on the Board of Directors of NOSSCR and formerly chaired the Chicago Bar Association’s Social Security Section.
Thousands of Hearings, One Client at a Time
We’ve represented claimants in thousands of hearings across Illinois, treating every new case with the same diligence as our first.
Accessible, Personal Service
You work directly with a dedicated Social Security Disability attorney throughout your case, not through a rotating call center.
You will meet with the attorneys who will represent you from start to finish. No meeting your lawyer for the first time at your hearing, a common occurrence with the national disability franchises. We are very accessible to our clients.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
How Our Hammond SSD Lawyers Help Through the Disability Process
An SSDI claim is not a series of unrelated steps. The work history you describe in your application can come up again at a hearing. Medical evidence added during reconsideration may become part of the record an Administrative Law Judge reviews. If the case reaches federal court, the court will largely be looking back at the record built during those earlier stages.
Our Hammond SSD lawyers manage the claim with that continuity in mind. We know what has already been said, what evidence Social Security has seen, and what the record needs next, so you are not rebuilding your case every time it moves forward.
Preparing Your Initial SSDI Application in Hammond
Your first application creates the foundation Social Security will continue referring back to. Hammond residents can apply online, by phone, or through the Social Security office on East Douglas Street.
We help make sure your medical history, past work, and day-to-day limitations tell a consistent story about why you can no longer sustain work. Getting those details right early matters because they can follow the claim into later appeals. If you are still at this early stage and you are not sure whether involving a lawyer can make a difference, speak to one of our lawyers in Hammond during a free consultation to learn more about your options.
Using Reconsideration to Address the First Denial
Reconsideration is a new review of your disability claim by examiners who were not involved in the initial decision. They look at the evidence already in your file along with any new medical or other evidence submitted before the reconsideration decision is made.
This gives us an important opportunity to strengthen the record before the case reaches a hearing. We review why Social Security denied the claim, obtain updated treatment records, document new diagnoses or changes in your condition, clarify limitations that were not fully explained, and make sure relevant evidence reaches SSA in time to be considered.
Preparing for Your Social Security Disability Hearing
For many clients, the hearing is the part of the claim that feels most intimidating. It is also the stage where preparation can make the process feel much more manageable.
Before your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, we walk you through how the hearing works, who may be there, what kinds of questions you can expect, and which parts of your medical and work history are likely to matter most. By the time you appear before the judge, you are not trying to understand the process and explain your disability at the same time. Your attorney is there with you and represents you throughout the hearing.
Reviewing the ALJ Decision for Appeals Council Review
After a hearing denial, the focus shifts from preparing testimony to examining the judge’s written decision. The Appeals Council reviews whether there is a basis to take another look at the case.
Our attorneys analyze how the Administrative Law Judge handled the medical evidence, your testimony, vocational findings, and Social Security rules. When the record supports further review, we identify the issues and prepare the Appeals Council appeal.
Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial in Federal Court
If the administrative appeals are exhausted, the claim may move into a very different setting. Lake County falls within the Hammond Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, located at 5400 Federal Plaza in Hammond.
Federal court generally reviews the administrative record for legal error rather than hearing the disability case again from the beginning. That is one reason careful work at the earlier stages matters so much. When judicial review is appropriate, our attorneys can prepare the federal court appeal, develop the legal arguments, and handle the federal court proceedings on your behalf.
Received a denial? Do not let the appeal period pass while you decide what to do. Social Security generally gives you 60 days after receiving a decision to request the next level of review. Your notice explains the deadline and appeal rights that apply to your SSD claim.
Get Clear Answers About Your Hammond SSD Claim
If your claim is stalled, denied, or simply becoming harder to manage, you do not have to keep sorting through Social Security notices and deadlines on your own. Your first consultation with Scully Disability Law is free. We will look at where your claim stands, explain what comes next, and tell you how we can take over the legal work from there. Phone and video consultations are available if that is more convenient for you.
Recent Case Results
Every claim is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. These examples show the kind of work we do at each stage of the process.
Scully Disability Law Gives You the Ability to Fight Back Instead of Giving Up
More than just a firm motto, this is our mission since the founding of our law firm, and we have the track record to prove it!
We work hand in hand with our clients and have been doing so for a very long time. It is difficult to find any other firm that has been practicing in this area longer than we have.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
What Are the Requirements for Social Security Disability in Hammond, IN?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally need enough recent work covered by Social Security and a medically determinable impairment that prevents you from performing substantial work. Your condition must also have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death.
For Hammond residents, that work history may cross city or state lines. You may have spent years working in Lake County, commuting into Illinois, or moving between physically demanding and less physical jobs over time. Social Security looks at what those jobs actually required and what your health now allows you to do.
The decision generally depends on factors such as:
- Your current earnings and work activity. SSA looks at whether you are performing substantial gainful activity. In 2026, the general SGA amount is $1,690 per month for a non-blind claimant.
- How much your condition limits everyday work functions. Problems with lifting, standing, walking, concentration, memory, pace, or attendance can all matter when they are supported by medical evidence.
- Whether your impairment satisfies a Social Security listing. Some conditions meet or medically equal criteria in SSA’s Listing of Impairments.
- What your previous jobs required from you. Social Security compares your remaining abilities with the physical and mental demands of your past relevant work.
- Whether other work is realistically possible. If you cannot return to your prior jobs, SSA may consider your age, education, work experience, and functional limitations when evaluating whether you could adjust to different work.
This is why two Hammond claimants with the same diagnosis can have very different SSDI cases. A warehouse worker who can no longer lift or stay on their feet through a shift presents a different work problem from someone whose condition causes memory lapses, slowed pace, or frequent absences.
Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Hammond help make those differences clear by showing Social Security what your work actually looked like and how your medical limitations changed your ability to keep doing it.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI? Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is generally based on your work history and Social Security credits, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program with income and resource limits. Both programs use Social Security’s disability standard, and some people qualify for both. Learn more about Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Our fees are strictly controlled by Social Security. We are prohibited by law from overcharging, and we are proud of never having done so.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
What Medical Conditions Can Qualify for SSD Benefits in Hammond?
Social Security Disability is not limited to one type of illness or injury. Physical impairments, chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and mental health conditions can all support a claim when they are medically documented and severe enough to keep you from sustaining work.
The SSA’s Listing of Impairments sets specific medical criteria for many conditions. But your diagnosis does not have to match a listing exactly. Social Security may also evaluate the combined effects of multiple conditions and how symptoms such as pain, fatigue, reduced mobility, poor concentration, or memory problems limit what you can do on a regular basis.
Musculoskeletal & Physical
- Degenerative disc & spine disorders
- Chronic pain conditions
- Arthritis & joint disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Injuries limiting mobility
Mental & Cognitive Health
- Depression & anxiety disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Intellectual & developmental disabilities
- Cognitive decline & memory disorders
Systemic & Chronic Illness
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes with complications
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Cancer & treatment side effects
- Autoimmune disorders
- Respiratory conditions
Meet Our Attorneys
Attorney Thomas J. Scully III
Founder of Scully Disability Law, Thomas J. Scully III has dedicated more than 40 years to helping individuals pursue Social Security Disability benefits. A Vietnam Veteran and former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Social Security Law Committee, he brings extensive experience representing claimants at disability hearings and throughout the appeals process. He is committed to providing personal, compassionate representation to every client he serves.
Attorney Michael DeYoung
Michael DeYoung has spent the majority of his legal career representing Social Security Disability claimants throughout the disability process, including hearings, Appeals Council reviews, and federal court appeals. A Northwest Indiana resident, he understands the challenges faced by individuals seeking disability benefits and provides direct, attorney-led representation focused on achieving the best possible outcome for each client.
Client Testimonials
A disability claim can be stressful enough without wondering whether your lawyer knows your case or will call you back. Our clients often mention the value of clear communication, thorough preparation, and having attorneys who stay involved from one stage of the claim to the next.
I am an Illinois attorney with over 40+ years of litigation practice so I know great lawyers when I have experiences with them. I referred a case to Tom Scully and have met with him on multiple occasions. He is forthright, clearly a renown expert in disability law, and he and his staff were a pleasure to work with. He and his staff gave me an assessment of the case that was straightforward given the bureaucracy and delays caused by the process.
In the end he was very successful in getting a great result. He is my top go-to lawyer for these types of cases.
Timothy Daw
5.0I cannot thank Attorney Michael DeYoung and the entire staff enough for everything they did to help me through my disability case. From the very beginning, they treated me with kindness, compassion, respect, and patience during one of the most stressful times of my life.
I highly recommend this law firm to anyone needing help with a disability claim. They truly care about their clients and go above and beyond for the people they represent. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Christine Graf
5.0I think that everyone was very nice and went above and beyond for us! They kept in contact with us and was always there to answer all questions! Michael DeYoung was amazing with my husbands case! The staff is amazing! I would recommend this law firm to everyone that needs help with their case! Thank you for all your help Michael you did a great job for us!
Tami Hubbard
5.0I am very grateful for the entire staff at attorney Scully’s office. Their professionalism and empathy speaks volumes to clients they represent. If you or a loved one needs their assistance they help you every step of the way. I truly can’t say enough good things about this law firm
Sarah Kuechenmeister
5.0Social Security Disability Representation in Hammond and Western Lake County
Scully Disability Law represents claimants in Hammond and nearby communities throughout western Lake County, including Munster, Highland, Griffith, and East Chicago.
If traveling is difficult because of your condition, you can speak with our attorneys by phone or video. You can also meet with us in person at our nearby Highland office.
Highland Office
- 9105-A Indianapolis Boulevard, Suite 102, Highland, IN 46322
- (219)419-4497
- contactus@scullydisabilitylaw.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Social Security Disability claims often raise practical questions about where to apply, what happens after a denial, how hearings work, and how long the process may take. Here are answers to some of the questions Hammond claimants commonly search for.
You can apply for SSDI online, by phone, or through the Social Security Administration. Hammond also has a local Social Security field office at 418 E. Douglas Street, Hammond, IN 46320. If you are unsure what information Social Security will need or how your work history may affect the claim, you can speak with our legal team before or during the application process. Your first consultation is free.
While frustrating, a denial is useful because it shows us exactly where Social Security found the claim insufficient. The issue may be the medical evidence, how your work limitations were described, whether SSA believed you could return to past work, or something else in the record.
Bring us the decision before taking the next step. Our Hammond SSD lawyers can use it to pinpoint what needs to be challenged or developed for the appeal. You generally have 60 days to act, so the sooner we see the notice, the more time we have to build the next stage properly.
There is no Hammond-specific processing time. The biggest timing differences usually come from where your claim is in the process. An initial decision often takes several months, while reconsideration, a hearing, or a further appeal can add substantially more time. Medical records that are slow to arrive, missed SSA requests, or incomplete information can also hold a claim up.
Our role is to keep your side of the case from becoming the reason for the delay. We stay on top of requests, records, deadlines, and follow-up so the claim is ready to move when Social Security is.
A disability hearing gives an Administrative Law Judge the opportunity to review your evidence and ask questions about your medical conditions, past work, symptoms, treatment, and limitations. Medical or vocational experts may also testify.
The hearing is often the stage clients worry about most, but you will not go into it unprepared. Your Social Security Disability attorney in Hammond will explain how the hearing works, review the important parts of your case with you, prepare you for the questions you may be asked, and represent you before the judge.
Possibly. Social Security looks at whether your current work amounts to substantial gainful activity, but the circumstances of the work can matter too.
If your condition has forced you to reduce your hours, miss shifts, move to lighter duties, or rely on extra help just to keep working, tell us. Those details can help show how your medical condition has changed your ability to maintain employment.
Only if your claim reaches the federal court stage. Most disability claims are handled first through Social Security’s administrative process: reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and Appeals Council review. Federal district court is the next possible step after those administrative appeals are exhausted.
That distinction is especially relevant in Hammond because the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana’s Hammond Division is located in the city. Your ordinary SSA hearing is not the same thing as a federal court appeal.
For Hammond clients, the first consultation with Scully Disability Law is free, whether you speak with us by phone, video, or meet with us in person at our nearby Highland office. You do not pay an attorney fee unless we win your claim.
Under Social Security’s standard fee-agreement process, the attorney fee is generally limited to the lesser of 25% of your past-due benefits or the current SSA maximum, and Social Security must approve the fee before it can be collected. You may also have separate case expenses, such as charges from doctors or hospitals for medical records.
We go over the fee agreement and possible costs during your consultation so you know exactly how representation would work before you decide to work with us.
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