Attorney Profiles

The attorneys at Chihak & Gustad work exclusively in the area of Social Security DisabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. and Supplemental Security IncomeA Federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.. They have helped thousands of people obtain the financial and medical benefits that they need and deserve.
Chihak & Gustad works at all stages of the claims process and we welcome referrals from other attorneys.
For a free initial consultation with Chihak & Gustad, call toll free (888) 723-4141 or send us an e-mail.
Information about the background and experience of our lawyers can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
Our office is located in downtown Seattle, just a few blocks from the Office of DisabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. Adjudication and Review. This is where all decisions are made at the Hearing level.

John J. Chihak obtained his law degree from Hamline University School of Law. John also received a Masters of Arts Degree in Public Administration with honors from Hamline. John obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. John received the Peter Falkman Award for Outstanding Policy Analysis for his master's thesis on poverty, pollution, and inner city development. John's thesis was published in the Journal of Public Law and Policy.

John-Paul Gustad practices disabilityAn impairment that qualifies as a disability under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines must be quite serious. The impairment must render the applicant unable to perform any substantial gainful activity — that is, the applicant must not be able to earn more than a minimum amount of money, determined each year by the SSA. The impairment must completely disable the applicant from working. It must be expected to last for a year, have already lasted a year or be expected to cause the applicant's death. But this is not the end of the qualifying tests. law exclusively and has successfully represented over one thousand people in their claims for disability benefitsYou can get disability benefits if you: are under full retirement age, have enough Social Security credits and, have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing "substantial" work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death.. John-Paul is admitted to practice in the State of Washington, the United States District Court, Western District of Washington and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Lucinda Dunlap obtained her law degree from Seattle University School of Law, where she was a founding member of the National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA), a member of the Women's Law Caucus and the Access to Justice Institute, and a semifinalist in her second year Moot Court Competition. She also holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from University of Washington in Zoology and Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. Lucinda worked for the King County Bar Association's Family Law Mentor Program, Self Help Plus Program, and Housing Justice Project.

Gina L. Cumbo is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School where she served as production and selection coordinator for the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law. Gina also holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She earned her undergraduate degree at Fairhaven College of Western Washington University where she studied Women Studies, U.S. Women’s History and Law. She is a graduate of Western Washington University’s Honors Program.

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