Fightback
FIGHTBACK4JUSTICE
Non Profit CIC offering expert Welfare Benefit advice on PIP, ESA, DLA & UC. Click Join Now to access all the tools you need to process your claim to the highest possible standard.
Non Profit CIC offering expert Welfare Benefit advice on PIP, ESA, DLA & UC. Click Join Now to access all the tools you need to process your claim to the highest possible standard.
Founded in 2013, Fightback4Justice is an award winning, non-profit organisation, providing specialised, expert advice and help on various welfare benefit claims; from advocacy and representation at court to guidance with forms for PIP, ESA, DLA & UC. Although based in Bury we offer comprehensive nationwide support, both face to face and through our email and phone advice line.
In the last few years our success has been so astronomical (we have a 90.9% success rate across all cases) our small but dedicated team are consistently inundated with hundreds of emails and calls to wade through; and as we rely entirely on donations, we have been stretched extremely thin. With this in mind, we launched our Fightback4Justice VIP Platform with the aim of helping as many people as we can.
Our aim with the VIP Platform is to provide you with all the tools you need to process a claim to the highest possible standard. Our resources and services will be available to you every step of the way from the Application Stage to the Upper Tier tribunal. Once you are VIP Member, you’ll have access to our extensive range of Information Factsheets, Completed Example Forms, Template Letters, Document Review Service, Video Guides, Assessment Preparation Service and Attendance at Assessment
On top of this vast library of information and services, our VIP members have access to the VIP Email and Phone service where we guarantee a priority response, allowing you to talk direct to people in the know and get the help you need. To become a VIP Member, please click Join Now.
Michelle is the founding member of Fightback, she is also a lawyer and deals with the majority of the court submissions and attendances, she deals with Upper-Tier, Mandatory Reconsiderations, manages the VIP Platform, helps with all aspects of Customer Care and Drop-in sessions – without Michelle’s passion, strength and determination Fightback would not be here.
Chloe has been with us for almost 10 years now and is one of our form filling experts. Chloe specialises in PIP/ESA/UC/ADP and attendance forms and also manages the mandatory reconsiderations.
Chloe is also the daughter of Fightback’s founder, Michelle.
Amanda has been with Fightback for over six years. She is one of Fightback’s Directors and manages the day to day running of the office, alongside Michelle. She is also trained to deal with the mandatory reconsiderations and PIP/ESA forms.
Louise has been with us for 4 years and manages our appeal files and deals with a lot of our court hearings, you may have also spoken to her on the VIP Chat. Louise is a great asset to the team and is also like our mother constantly cleaning around us!
Hayley has been with Fightback nearly 5 years. If you are a VIP member, you will have more than likely spoken to her over on our chat. She deals with not only the chat, but the post, emails, answering the calls and she also takes appointments throughout the day, lodging appeals with the tribunal service for our appeal clients.
Sonya initially pursued medicine and surgery, later specializing in women’s health while gaining experience in dentistry and laboratory sciences. Following a life-changing accident, she transitioned to a career in law. With a First Class Honours degree, a Master of Laws at Distinction level, and a scholarship from The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, she’s dedicated to client services at Fightback. Her diverse background ensures multifaceted, professional, and effective representation for clients.
Emma is the newest member to join the Fightback family. She is joining us in an admin role but will also be training up eventually as a PIP form-filling advocate, as she also has legal and court experience in her previous role.
Syd, a valued member of our team for over 5 years, specialises in PIP/DLA/ESA and UC application forms. Working remotely from home, she has been instrumental in our success since joining. Syd also assists with VIP documents and reviews, and you may have corresponded with her via email.
Karen has been a vital part of Fightback since 2014, serving as our primary assessment buddy. She annually prepares hundreds of individuals for their ESA/UC or PIP assessments, ensuring they know what to expect. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she participated in assessment calls and actively advocates for change in our regular meetings with assessment providers.
Lucy has been a valuable member of Fightback for approximately 6 years, working remotely from home. Her responsibilities include completing PIP, child DLA, and ESA/UC forms. Lucy’s dedication and expertise have positively impacted countless individuals, as she has assisted hundreds of people with their forms, making her a significant asset to our team.
Dee has been with Fightback since its inception, being the first page like and a close friend of Michelle’s. As a dedicated volunteer since the beginning, she assists with managing all Facebook messages and contributes to writing and compiling our VIP factsheets. Dee’s unwavering commitment and altruistic nature shine through as she generously dedicates her spare time to helping others in any way she can. She is a truly wonderful asset to our team.
New Back to Work Plan to help up to 1,100,000 people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work.
This week we had our annual Christmas party for ‘23! We have worked incredibly had this year and so a team night out was long overdue and was a brilliant way to see out 2023!
On 30 November DWP introduced a new technology called Conversational Platform onto the Department’s telephony channels, starting with Universal Credit.
We were delighted to take part in Healthwatch Bury Live to discuss our work within the local area in relation to PIP and disability benefit applications.
We were delighted to be featured in The Big Issue’s latest article regarding the alarming number of appeals which have been rejected by the DWP recently. Click Read more!
This past weekend, we took our hardworking office Fightback crew for a treat as a team building exercise. It was so good to get together outside the busy office, especially as the girls have put in long extra volunteer hours this month to cope with the extra enquiries we’ve had.
Huge congratulations to our Lawyer, Sonya, graduating with a Master of Laws with distinction today. Sonya has been a crucial part of our legal team for a number of year and we could not be prouder of her achievement.
January 2023 marks the 10th Anniversary of Fighback4Justice! It is an incredible achievement to reach this milestone and it has been one hell of a journey to get here!
This week we had our annual Christmas party in Manchester; our hard-working team got dolled up in our office over bucks fizz breakfast before letting our hair down in the city centre.
This week we had the wonderful team in from the BBC morning live and it was a pleasure to chat with Dr Punam Krishan about PIP.
Today we look part in the first of our ‘Let’s Live Well’ drop ins supported by Bury Council. The aim of today’s session was to offer the local community advice on Welfare Benefits.
We have some exciting news! We have expanded our service contracts the MS society and now partner with them in the York and Ryedale districts.
This week we have been contacted by Joe Harrigan for a comment in his report on benefits and terminally ill claimants.
Every day in December, ITV open a door of their Granada Reports Advent Calendar of local heroes. Each day, they showcase someone who has gone above and beyond in what has been a very difficult year.
Towards the end of last year, we were delighted to take part in a report for ITV which aimed to highlight the floors in our current benefit system.
In the most recent budget, Rishi Sunak announced a reduction from 63p in the pound to 55p in the universal credit taper rate. We we asked to comment for the mail online.
Towards the end of last year, we were delighted to take part in a report for ITV which aimed to highlight the flaws in our current benefit system. The ITV film crew spent the morning in our offices where they interviewed a number of our past clients and team members.
Our Benefits Calculator can help you find out what benefits you could be owed. It’s free to use and the details you provide are kept anonymous.
Fightback filled my review form in takes some stress off me there always so friendly and very helpful have been using for a good few years and I will carry on using them they are a godsend
This is my 2nd time using fight back this time was my esa. Chloe filled my form in for me. I have received letter today saying esa been awarded without medical appointment.. I can breath for another 2/3years.. Thankyou very much to fightback for all ur help ill keep my vip going as ur all worth every penny.. Thankyou all again
Fightback4justice helped with my husbands PIP forms for the third time, after 3 weeks we received a letter to say ongoing period until July 2031. You have helped so much, we really appreciate all that you do. Cannot recommended enough 10/10.
🙂 Fightback assisted with my son’s work capability assessment for Universal Credit. I used the form filling service and Amy completed the form. This helped to take a lot of the stress out of the process as Fightback have a lot of experience about what to include and what to leave out. I got the result I wanted for my son and I highly recommend this service.
I used many of the example forms when helping my son move from DLA to PIP and after a long wait we got the news he was awarded pip for three years. The VIP service was excellent, I did have a few worries and questions along the way and their swift replies were always helpful. I shall continue to support Fightback to enable them to help other people fighting the system.
Fightback have been so helpful and supportive. I would recommend them to anyone needing help with forms and assessments. Thank-you Fightback team you have been wonderful.
My son is autistic, and his p.i.p review came March 2021. Of course i was dreading it. We had only been to court 2 years ago, so the thought of the process all over again had me on edge. My son moved from dla to p.i.p in 2017, in 2018 we won tribunal with the help of fightback and minimal evidence as my son has refused most medical help as his condition gives him anxiety when ANY attention is put on him. So…Chloe completed our renewal form, a huge relief off ny head, so all that was left to do was just sit back and wait to be called in next year for p.i.p process all over again. This morning…. i recieved a phone call…stating his reward will remain the same….FOR 10 YEARS!!! I almost dropped the phone, i asked the lady if this was a prank, she laughed and said no. After making her repeat “10years” to me 3 times she finally explained why and that my decision letter will be in the post. i still wont believe it until i get that HORRIBLE brown envelope, but Chloe, you are a star. I cannot thank you enough, thats 10years of peace. Thank you
Hi, just to let you know that my daughter Beth has had her DLA maintained (standard living and low mobility) until 2026. Lucy filled in her forms. Thank you so much for providing such an incredible service
I used Fightback’s form filling service to apply for PIP for my partner and also the mandatory reconsideration. I have again used the form filling service for his PIP renewal. This really does take away the stress and the Fightback ladies are so lovely, helpful, caring and thorough. Thank you for all your help.
Fightback are superhero’s! I have a very rare disease and had been on high rate DLA for 15 years, following my PIP assessment I was awarded 0 points and the same for my MR ! Fightback did exactly what it says on the packet! They fought for me, Michelle, wrote my submission,which was wonderful and the lovely Sonia was my representative at the hearing TodayI have been awarded enhanced mobility and standard care and I couldn’t be happier (Evan though I’m crying my eyes out !,) My whole family want to thank each and everyone one of you from the bottom of our hearts.xx Ann, Martin, Lizzie and Sally xxxx
I received award letter yesterday and confirmed that award staying same, however change is that it’s an ongoing award.
I used all your guides and info to help me from start to finish.
Also had Karen on phone with me during assessment.
(Karen is phoning me on Monday).
I always think of the worst and hope for the best and it’s worked out that way.
I can’t express my gratitude and respect for you all, compiling all these guides and info will be and are a gods send for many individuals and families.
You and your team should be very proud.
Respect to you all.
Brian
Hi I’m so happy to write this.
I Was so nervous to apply for PIP and have wanted to for years but just couldn’t face it. But after your amazing work with my ESA and now my PIP forms (both done by Lucy) I received the letter today saying I’m getting Enhanced on both. Thank you again for being there and making this stressful process feel better. It’s heartwarming to know we have wonderful people like you fighting for us.
Thanks
Scott
Thanks so much to all of you for your help.
I’d submitted my UC WCA form in July 2021 before hearing about FB4J, but used the form checking service to see what I could send in as additional info to update the assessor on my current status.
7 months after sending my WCA form in I had my phone assessment date through so was very nervous after such a long wait.
Amy’s feedback on my form was very helpful in giving me advice on a few areas I could expand on.
A call from Karen helped calm and focus me the day before my phone assessment. The assessor was very professional and thorough during my call.
3 working days later, I’ve had my letter confirming I’ve been awarded LCWRA. Not sure how long the award is for or if any back pay is due, but I’m so relieved! Hopefully I can now start to rest properly and maybe recover some health without feeling pressured by the jobcentre. Thanks so much to the team for your help. I will definitely be recommending the service to others.
I just wanted to let you know that I sent off my PIP application in June and had used your VIP service to do a digital version of the form as I struggle to hold a pen and write. I also used VIP platform examples and guidance, and Syd checked it all for me before I sent it. Karen also supported in my phone assessment, and made sure I felt prepared and knew what to expect.
Today I’ve had a payment arrive in my bank account. I’ve got enhanced on both. I’m in absolute disbelief and so emotional. I 100% know that the reason this has happened is because of your support and guidance every step of the way. The process is tough, but it’s made easier by your incredible service. I’m so thankful to you! You’re all doing such amazing work, thank you xxx
Hi, thanks to your support and guidance I have been awarded contribution based ESA support group.
No face to face appointment or phone calls, they have done a paper based assessment.
Award has been back dated to the end of march. I applied for ESA at the end of June.
Had to back pay HMRC NI for 2 years but was worth it as I have gotten that amount back & more via ESA.
Without the guides & VIP email advice/check then I don’t think I woukd have had such a smooth experience getting ESA.
Thanks so much to all of you.
Hi. Haven’t reached out before but I signed up to the website when I received my pip review forms as I wanted to use the filled out examples on there. I did exactly that and received a letter yesterday saying I had sent enough evidence and filled the form in well enough they had managed to do a in-house assessment without even contacting me and have awarded me until nov 2026. I don’t think this would have happened without the help of the website as I wasn’t confident enough in my answers to their questions so just want to say a big thanks! The work you do for disabled people is absolutely amazing x
KK
I’m so grateful by the way Michelle for you and the teams help. I used the VIP service got my forms checked by yourselves used the help on VIP and I have both awards finally too ongoing. Can’t thank you enough.
Many thanks
I just wanted to say thank you SO much for your PIP review form service and the factsheets/examples that you provide. Syd gave feedback on my completed PIP review before I sent it off, and I am thrilled to say that my award has not only been renewed without any further assessment, but it has also been more than doubled in length compared to last time.
It is such a relief – the transfer from my lifetime award of DLA to PIP for my Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in 2017 was horrendous, with the DWP deciding to remove all support. That is, until Fightback appealed for me and I was ultimately successful in making a claim. Thank you so much for working your magic again – benefits like PIP really do make a massive difference to someone like me, who wants to get on and live as independent a life as possible in spite of their disability and the associated extra costs. The government are making this increasingly difficult to do and so your service really is a lifeline.
“ Thank you Syd!!
Got my white envelope today. Enhanced Both for 6 years.
(It was a PIP ‘Renewal’, but counted as a ‘new claim’ as I won at Tribunal last time.)
Used the ‘VIP Form Review Service’ and incorporated all the feedback Syd gave me to improve my application. It took 3 weeks from the DWP receiving my form to me receiving my award letter. Last time my application took 2.5 years!!
Shocked & stunned…..
This is the second time I have received help from Fightback.
A few years ago Michelle Advocated for me, with an Appeal to the Upper Tribunal, and attended with me, and supported me, with my (second) First Tier Tribunal where I received Enhanced Both for 5 years. Having Fightback on my side helped enormously.
Need a good cry now!
Thank-you Fightback xx”
Sorry I did try and do a Google review, but don’t have an account. So can I leave anon feedback please – thank you so much for all the support Fightback have given me and my family, after a long fight, we have finally been given middle rate care for my daughter, who had it removed by DWP 3.5 years ago, we managed to get a low award on appeal, but now on renewal we have got middle care rate until she is 16 (2.5 years award) . I had thought about giving up at times, but thankfully with Fightback’s help – we didn’t! They are brilliant and I would recommend!
Warm regards
I have meant to email sooner. Just wanted to say a huge thank you. You looked over the MR I did and sent me some pointers and I went through all the information available in the VIP files. After sending everything off we received a phone call from the assessor to say she was looking at everything we had written and would have a decision later that day. She then called us back and he had gone from getting 2 points to enhanced care and standard mobility up to 2024.
I cant thank you enough for all the information that was made available, I wish I had contacted you earlier.
We had paid the monthly VIP charge and it was well worth it – we have kept this in payment. Keep up the good work.
Dear Michelle
I am so grateful to you, and all at Fightback4Justice, for assisting me with my PIP appeal. If it hadn’t been for your advice and encouragement to go through with the appeal I would certainly have pulled out. I was appealing against the award of Standard Mobility which had been granted by the DWP and have now been awarded Enhanced Mobility until 2030. To say I am thrilled is an understatement and I put this all down to Michelle’s assistance.
Thank you once again.
Dear Amy and all at fightback4justice,
Just to update you on my son’s mandatory reconsideration:
From being assessed as scoring only 2 points initially For making budgeting decisions, we are pleased to feedback that David was awarded14 points in daily living and 12 points under planning and following a journey (this is the first time this difficulty has been recognised in support of him). This means he has been awarded enhanced PIP in both Daily Living and Enhanced until September 2023
I would have loved to have been a fly in the wall as we got a copy of the GP form she sent to PIP were it stated David was unable to go out alone and all his other issues, which was referred to incorrectly in their feedback for their assessment and we highlighted the discrepancies of this.
Additionally to this your feedback on how to set out David’s MR and other advice was invaluable, we cannot thank you enough for all your support. If you would like a copy of our David’s MR for you vaults we are more than happy to share it.
I was just like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to Fight Back for justice for their help & support in my PIP appeal. Fight back have helped me immensely during my Tribunal Appeal and worked extensively, factoring in the limitations in time, in line with the statement of reasons in correlation to a unfair decision. The team are very competent at what they do and extremely helpful. The legal team put a great emphasis on identifying imperative medical evidence that pertains to the facts that supersedes the subjective opinions of the DWP. The indisputable facts was self evident, which constituted an award being warranted.
Fightback worked diligently in the pursuit and acquisition of serving equitable justice. I would definitely recommend using there services, even if you feel disheartened with a unfair decision. We never gave up and remained patient in the face of adversity, subsequently we executed with resilience, mental fortitude, determination and velocity. I just wanted to show my gratitude for all you’re help and support during this long process, whereby eventually the decision was overturned by a tribunal judge and the correct award was eventually granted in my favour.
I cant Thank you guys enough, I really appreciate all you’re hard work.
Many Thanks
Hi Karen & Amy,
I am amazed, but have received notification today that I have been awarded the enhanced rate for daily living and the enhanced rate for mobility for 10 years, to 2031.
Many thanks to you all for the help and assistance with the application. I really am surprised that I got anything at all after hearing of so many people being rejected.
best wishes,
Catherine
‘More good news after using our VIP factsheets and example review forms…with no assessment 🙂
Just want to say thank you I used your vip to do my pip review forms, they have kept my award at enhanced on both for 3 years minus a face to face, or telephone consultation or anything else, thank you so much, you are well and truly amazing xx
I am so pleased to report that with the guidance of your online portal I have submitted my husbands PIP Review and received confirmation that everything will remain the same for an extended amount of time. They replied 3 weeks later. Cannot believe it! My husband has been on DLA/PIP for many years and every review has been a total nightmare, going the full way to Tribunal each time to be awarded full award each time. Extremely stressful EVERY time! I live in Scotland and on previous reviews and transfer to PIP from DLA, we used Money Matters to help complete the forms. I now realise how basic there detailing was on the forms, even though we gave them all the information. Your site hast taught me a lot, so thank you so much!!
I will definitely use your services next time
Huge Thank you again,
Fiona
Good afternoon,
Just a quick message to say thank you so much for your help with our application. We got a letter today confirming my daughter is getting enhanced daily living and standard mobility. Her award is for six years. This is excellent news and entirely appropriate, I feel. I couldn’t have managed her application without your files to support me and I’m very grateful for these.
Thanks again,
Kathryn
Hi Fightback team,
I have just received my decision letter and have been issued the same award, all without the stress of a second assessment or a phone call!
I just wanted to email and say thank you so much to the whole team. You all made the process very easy, were super helpful when I had any questions, and always got back to me in good time, even via email.
I massively appreciate the help you provided me and the work you’re doing for the disabled community!!
I originally joined for my son however my dr suggested I apply for myself and should have actually done so years ago. I did and was awarded standard for care and high for mobability. Now whilst grateful I was confused because my care needs are more than mobility. I have a neuro condition and have just been diagnosed with Pro-Longed QT waves. Along with many other symptoms I have memory loss which means cooking is dangerous as I often forget I’ve put the oven on or even to turn it off at the end. I set reminders but within mins I forget. However the DWP said I can use a microwave so I’m ok. I argued that a microwave isn’t exactly the healthiest and since nutrition has been linked with healthy living anything less than this is detrimental to our health. With meds having side effects of weight gain I def don’t need to be helping it along.
They also said as I can bath I’m independent. I can bath (cant shower as I can’t stand that long) but have to have someone with me due to seizures so not exactly independent is it. Not many have to have their child listen out for you. They said in the interview I didn’t have a noticeable tremor. Which I agree. For that 1hr I didn’t. For that 1hr on the video call I sat on my hand. I said I do have video documentation of it and happy to send this.
Because of this page I had the strength to ask for a MR and stand up for what actually is happening not just what they’ve seen in the 1hr call.
I will like to add that all the people I’ve spoken to at the DWP and even the interviewer were lovely. All polite and helpful. I just truly do think that they underestimated my needs but it’s now been corrected and I get high on both.
I now refer all friends in need to come to this page. It’s def worth the extra pennies for the online support alone and not having the stress of doing it by yourself.
Through Disability Confident, DWP are working with employers to ensure that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We have been assessed and meet the criteria for a disability confident employers/voluntary organisation.
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