As a trusted and established name, Fightback has always been a go to source of information for many media outlets on topics such as Welfare Benefits. On many occasions, we have provided assistance to local and national news outlets such a ITV and the BBC.

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. Here is the official video from our recent coverage on ITV Granada Reports. Once again we would like to say a massive thanks to Matt and the Granada Reports team for once again contacting us for assistance when creating their reports on the errors in the welfare benefits system.

UPDATE JULY 2020 – Jenny, The lady featured at the start of this feature came to sign up for our services on that day. This month we successfully advocated in her appeal and we are pleased to report her daughter has won enhanced mobility and standard daily living with our support. We are still to hear about the other gentleman featured in the video.

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.
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 95% success rate across all cases) our small but dedicated team is 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 have launched the VIP Fightback4Justice Online Platform.

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 and Assessment Preparation Service. 

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. 

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Welcome our new team member, Sonya

We’re delighted to welcome a brand new member to our team this week so please give a warm welcome to Sonya. Sonya joined Fightback in 2020 and brings with her a wealth of experience in health care and science. She studied Medicine and Surgery at The University of Liverpool, with further specialised study in women’s health at The University of Manchester. Sonya has held clinical roles within the NHS and private sector throughout the North West of England. Her experience incorporates many medical specialities, along with dentistry and laboratory scientific analysis.
Whilst recuperating from a debilitating accident, Sonya completed further study at The Open University. This included English law and legal research. She graduated with First Class Honours.
Sonya works part time in the legal department at Fightback. She is ideally suited to the intricate analysis and evaluation of medical evidence that is involved in a great deal of our work. Her role as a legal advocate involves drafting legal documentation for the court, liasing with clients and representing them in court.

For the other half of the week, Sonya continues her postgraduate legal education. She is currently studying an LLM at Liverpool John Moores University before she begins her vocational barrister training. Sonya is delighted to have found a role that incorporates all aspects of her academic study and experience. Ske looks forward to a long and fulfilling career here at Fightback.

New regulations issued excluding disabled students from Universal Credit entitlement

These “restore the policy intent” that a limited capability for work determination, must be met by a disabled student  on or before the date of claim for universal credit”.
These new rules come into effect this week.
Meaning that a person entitled to AA, DLA or PIP will only be entitled to universal credit if they already have a determination of limited capability for work (LCW)on the date of claim:

where they have already started undertaking a course of education, studies or training before making a claim for universal credit; or

Failure to attend an ESA assessment new guidance:

PIP & UC Update

Pip and UC important caselaw for terminal illness 2020] NIQB (N Ireland) as a Judicial Review case it is most likely to impact rules on if terminal illness awards ie proof you will be dead in 6 months. This has now been said to contravene art 8 human rights act – right to family live and peaceful enjoyment of your home/belongings (includes money)  meaning in your dying days.
It won’t change rules yet as still ongoing but likely to in coming year.

High Court holds that special rules for terminal illness, in case where claimant cannot demonstrate their death can be reasonably expected within six months, are ‘discriminatory and ‘manifestly without reasonable foundation’

Upon careful scrutiny of all the evidence, I can find no evidence, justification or rationale to explain why the applicant was not deemed to be entitled to the enhanced rate of PIP for activities of daily living and the standard rate of mobility from the date when her terminal diagnosis was confirmed. This difference in treatment is manifestly without reasonable justification and is, therefore, in breach of Article 14 ECHR in conjunction with Article 8 and Article 1 of Protocol 1.’ (paragraph 104)

‘Again, upon careful scrutiny of all the evidence, I can find no evidence, justification or rationale to explain why the applicant was not deemed to be entitled to the LCWRA component of universal credit from the date on which she made her claim for universal credit. This difference in treatment is manifestly without reasonable justification and is, therefore, in breach of Article 14 ECHR in conjunction with Article 8 and Article 1 of Protocol 1.’ (paragraph 106)

Fightback Appeal Stats – 2019

At the end of each year, we take a moment to tot up our results of the course of the year so that we can provide an accurate figure on cases which we have taken on and have achieved a successful results on. 

This year has been the busiest yet for fightback and we are over the moon with what we have managed to achieve. Our figures on overturned appeals for the past three years can bee seen below as a percentage. Don’t forget that we did over 880 appeals last year. Keep this in mind when you read over our percentage win rate.

2017 – 89.50% Success Rate

2018 – 87% Success Rate

2019 – 89.90% Success Rate

It’s with the help and support of all of our followers and members that we are able to achieve such fantastic numbers on behalf of our clients. We’re excited to keep this successful streak going in 2020 and for many more years ahead! 

Fightback on ITV

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. The ITV film crew spent the morning in our offices where they interviewed a number of our past clients and team members. Scroll down to view the official video from our recent coverage on ITV Granada Reports.

Once again we would like to say a massive thanks to Matt and the Granada Reports team for once again contacting us for assistance when creating their reports on the errors in the welfare benefits system.

Liam Crompton: Fightback Ambassador

It was a great to welcome Tottington’s local endurance athlete, Liam Crompton into our office this month. We’re pleased to announce Liam has agreed to be our Fightback ambassador and we are proud to sponsor him in his future Triathlon events where he will wear the Fightback Man logo when competing. Born with crippling Cerebral Palsy, his family were told he would never walk, Liam has battled through adversity and pushes himself further than any of his able bodied competitors.

This year, Liam has completed in several major events including the Manchester Half Marathon as well as Triathlon and Ironman events, beating many able bodied athletes this month and even smashing his personal best twice and getting in the top 100 with his speed over the weekend. Liam is also the only physically disabled athlete in these competitions and no allowances are given.

He is a true Fightbacker and represents the strength needed to fight against diversity and strives to be his best. He is an inspiration to us all. See Liam’s page for regular updates on his story: www.facebook.com/mytriatlonjourney/

Welcome to our new team member, Louise!

This month we have had the lovely Louise join us on a full time basis. Many of our regular followers may have spoken to Louise in the past as she has volunteered part time at Fightback since the start of 2019. Over the past few months, Louise has been training in advocacy and has been attending court appeals with much success in recent weeks.

Louise will be joining Hayley throughout the day on our VIP Live Chat and VIP Phone Lines to assist with the surge in traffic we have received over the past few months.In addition to this, Louise will be assisting our clients with access to their Medical Records. She will be in regular contact with GPs and Surgeries to ensure our clients get sent their medical records as quickly and efficiently as possible in compliance with data protection regulations.

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.