R. Matthew Stewart

The claim process is long and arduous. I got through the first two denials on my own but when it came time to appear before the administrative law judge, I knew I would need an attorney. Even though I had a legal background, I didn't know anybody in the disability field and my friends didn't have any referrals so I went to Google to look at reviews. I'm so glad that I did. I found Matthew Stewart and Kraft & Associates and the reviews were excellent. Obviously, they were true. We had the hearing this morning and my disability was approved. I'm so very thankful to Mr. Stewart and the staff at Kraft & Associates. They are attentive to your case and very responsive. I had a very positive experience and I will certainly recommend them to any one who needs disability counsel.

I was recently approved for Social Security Disability benefits on my first application submission which, from all I've read and been told, is a definite minority of those who apply. Initially, most are denied and must appeal, sometimes more than once. At the recommendation of a lawyer I used for another matter, I hired Kraft & Associates this year to help me file for Social Security Disability benefits. The lawyer referring me had hired Matthew Stewart for his own wife's successful disability application, so it was more than just "I've heard these guys are good." The SSD application process, as you would expect, is time-consuming and overwhelming at times. I have been struggling with chronic pain and a long-term illness and my ability to deal with long, involved forms and detailed questions is limited and frustrating. Kraft Law's staff was extremely helpful in walking me through the process, answering my questions in quickly returned phone calls, and clearly explaining what I needed to understand in navigating the applications. They provided a short book by Stewart that addresses many of the most common SSDI questions and issues. I worked directly with Vera Hicks at the firm but received "checking in" letters from Mr. Stewart, just to let me know he was available and involved. Vera was readily available when I needed input and was quick to respond to emails and calls. She treated me with great respect, compassion and patience -- not what I was prepared for from a law firm. If she was not available when I called, I could talk to other staff members to resolve an issue. I will note that I had several of my health care providers committed to supporting my disability claim. Be aware that not all doctors will participate in the disability process because it requires their time for forms and input. Overall, I found the folks at Kraft Law to be very supportive in a very difficult situation for me. It gave me peace of mind to know I didn't have to navigate the application alone.

We were beginning to give up after hearing horror stories about disability claims but our lawyer referred us to Matthew. His empathy and hard work paid off and my wife was awarded disability with back pay.

Mr. Stewart knows his stuff. He knows the ins and the outs of Social Security Disability and was very helpful.

"Anyone needing assistance with VA claims, Matthew is the BEST!!! He knows his stuff....He's always accessable and he does keep you informed during the whole process. He doesn't give up and always has encouraging words to keep plugging. His support has been priceless..."

Everyone in the office was efficient, courteous and genuinely care about their clients. I highly recommend this practice and appreciate everything they have done for us. I was amazed at how fast they got my husband approved for his disability.

My husband has been very ill and having mini-strokes since a major stroke in 2007. Mr. Stewart and his amazing team including Vera and Tressa helped us to get disability for him. They walked us through every step of the process and we have been so pleased with the outcome. I will be able to take care of my husband and it has brought joy and hope to our entire family, as well as many of our friends who prayed daily as I did for this wonderful outcome!!!!

Matthew Stewart was my attorney for my disability case. He handled my case from start to finish, for three plus years. I lost my first case, and Mr. Stewart encouraged me to continue fighting. It was a very long process. He believed in me and my case and kept me informed throughout. His office handled all paperwork, and requests from the social security office. Because of Mr. Stewarts knowledge and insight of the social security process, we won our case. There is no way I could have done this on my own, with it being such a tedious process dealing with social security. The most important thing about Mr. Stewart was he cared personally about my case. I would highly recommend Matt if you have a social security case that you are trying to win. He will tell you upfront if he thinks you have a valid case or not, and he will stand by you and fight.

He was my disability attorney. Going in I was VERY nervous. I had actually contacted another well known firm. They expected me to basically PROVE my disability to them by sending them ALL my medical files PRIOR to them telling me if they would take me as a client. I guess they wanted to keep their stats up or something. Mr Davis was with Kraft and assoc and with them, the experience was very different. They wanted to know about my case but didn't expect me to hand the entire case over to them all done and in a pretty bow like the other firm. Later I met with Mr Stewart. He had all of my medical history there and the file was so huge I was a bit taken back. I knew I had a substantial history but to see it there on paper was a bit shocking. He had done such a thorough job of gaining all of my history for the claim. Mr Stewart was very informative. He explained the process to me very well. During the hearing I was pretty shaken up. The judges can be a bit rough in these cases. When my hearing ended I just wanted to get out of that room as fast as I could! I was standing out in the hall when Mr Stewart came out and told me that my case had been won. Having no experience in this, I had no idea that when the judge ended the hearing prior to having the vocational expert testify it meant my case had been established on the medical testimony already given. I was SO relieved. After my experience with the social security disability process, I was SO thankful to have Mr Stewart's help. I do not think I would have been able to get approved without him. Not because I am not truly disabled. I have advanced lupus with seizures and all the other things that come with it. PROVING that means you are disabled according to the guidelines of the social security office is a whole other thing! It is a very difficult process to get through, with lots of guidelines that you have to know and understand. Having an attorney that knows and understands exactly what they are needing to prove your inability to work is worth its weight in gold. I feel very very strongly that having Mr Stewart's help is why I was able to get approved within 1 year of filing. If I had retained his help when I did my original filing I probably would not have been denied in the first place. I have known others that have had attorneys help them and were never approved. The attorney's did not even meet with them except right before going in to the adjudication hearing. This is not how Mr Stewart handled my case at all. I could not recommend him more to anyone that needs an attorney. You need someone that is familiar with the social security system. You also need an attorney that treats you like more than just another number. Mr Stewart is absolutely one of those attorneys.

I cannot endorse Matthew Stewart highly enough. I had reservations about being able to receive my disability benefits. Mr. Stewart took the time to explain the strength of my particular case and encouraged me to proceed with my claim. He spent the time necessary to help me to feel comfortable before entering the courtroom as I found the experience intimidating. He was extremely professional and assured in the courtroom as we handled my hearing. I was so grateful to receive a favorable hearing and I feel that I owe it all to Matthew Stewart's abilities. You simply cannot go wrong letting him handle your case.