Non-profit Community Interest Group offering UK-wide expert Welfare Benefits Advice & help with applications, assessments, MRs and legally qualified Advocacy in upper and lower Tribunals. Visitors are welcome by prior appointment, Monday to Friday. In addition, we hold monthly drop-in sessions at our Bury office on the first Wednesday of the month, together with outreach advice sessions at various
locations across the North West, both of which are open to the public and require no appointment, 9.30-2.30pm. Fightback4Justice is the trading name of Advocacy for Disabled People CIC. We are a fully registered Community Interest Company operating on a not-for-profit, asset-locked basis. This means that no individual can profit from the organisation and, in the unlikely event of closure, all assets must legally transfer to another similar organisation for community benefit. We hold Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance and ensure that all staff and volunteers are appropriately insured and trained. We also maintain up-to-date Data Protection registration, safeguarding, and compliance training, and regularly attend DWP, Tribunal, and assessment provider training to ensure we remain as informed and up to date as possible and can identify trends and developments as they happen. How Donations and Contributions Help
Any donations or payments we receive are reinvested directly back into running Fightback and expanding our services. This includes the paid-for services and pay-it-forward donations made through our form-filling and representation services, which are vital to our continued operation. We currently employ 12 team members and have 2 volunteers, who operate our advice lines, VIP services, and live chat support on a full-time basis, helping us remain compliant and continue to meet growing demand. We are also VAT registered and proud to be a Disability Confident Level 2 employer. Additional funding allows us to extend opening hours, train additional team members and continue developing our services for the community. Our VIP service also provides priority access, together with hundreds of guidance resources designed to help people understand the application and appeal process and advocate for themselves confidently. We currently handle over 3,000 telephone calls for free advice every month, alongside between 1,700 and 2,000 emails and messages per week. Approximately 85% of the services we provide are delivered free of charge and funded through our not-for-profit pay-it-forward model. Our Experience and Recognition
Fightback4Justice has been recognised and supported by numerous organisations over the years.
• Runners-up in the Disability Group category at the National Diversity Awards in 2014
• Winners of the People’s Champion Award in 2013
• Awarded Nationwide Community Group of the Quarter funding in 2014
• Nominated by Tesco as a Community Group in 2016
• Nominated again for further recognition by Nationwide in 2015
• Runners up in the Community Disability Group category, National Diversity Awards 2019
• Selected by ITN for the Advent Calendar Heroes campaign in 2024
We were also invited to provide oral evidence to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding the impact of welfare reform and disability related issues affecting disabled people in the UK. Since 2013, we have supported thousands of successful disability benefit claims and appeals, attended and supported in more than 1,000 assessments and advocated extensively at Tribunal hearings. We are proud to remain one of the most grassroots and hands-on organisations supporting disabled people nationwide. We also assist with:
• Form completion support
* Assessent
* Mandatory Reconsideration
• Appeals advocacy
* Upper Tier appeal advice and overturning tribunal decisions in the lower tier
• Benefit overpayment disputes (advice only)
• Welfare rights guidance and representation
Our Founder and Team
Fightback4Justice was founded by Michelle, who holds an LLB with Honours in Law (2:1) from the University of Bolton and a Certificate of Legal Education from Manchester Metropolitan University. Having completed two degrees in Law, she also holds AS Law qualifications. Michelle previously worked within the Citizens Advice Bureau as a full-time Law and Outreach Benefits Adviser before later managing the Welfare Benefits Department within a solicitors' practice. Over the years, she has undertaken extensive specialist training in welfare rights and disability law, including DWP PIP training, Care Act training and ongoing professional development within disability benefit law. Fightback4Justice has since grown into a dedicated specialist team including qualified lawyers, experienced advisers, NHS healthcare professionals, law students and trained support staff. Team members receive ongoing training to ensure they remain fully up to date on changes in legislation, assessment trends and Tribunal developments. We regularly attend meetings and forums with the DWP, assessment providers, and other organisations to stay informed about developments in the disability benefits system. We also work closely with local MPs, charities and community organisations to provide free advice sessions and training across the North West. All advisers and caseworkers receive training in Data Protection, Safeguarding and Benefits Advice standards and are provided with ongoing internal and external professional development relevant to our work and the law. Our Mission
Fightback4Justice was founded on the belief that disabled people deserve fair treatment, honest advice and access to support when challenging unfair decisions. We understand how overwhelming the benefit system can feel, and our aim has always been to provide professional, supportive and realistic guidance whilst empowering people to advocate for themselves wherever possible. As Michelle says:
“I started Fightback because I believe everybody deserves the right to challenge unfair decisions. Every day we see the difference proper support can make to somebody’s life and that is why Fightback exists.”
Advice is always free of charge. We have been a registered, unfunded by grants, not-for-profit organisation since 2015, although Fightback itself originated in 2013. Approximately 85% of our work remains completely free of charge. We currently operate 12 phone lines offering free advice Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, together with a Facebook messaging service and unlimited email support, all free to use. We also offer a range of labour-intensive paid services to further support people with their claims where needed. We operate a fully secure and professional VIP platform with rolling monthly subscriptions starting from £4.99 or £11.99, depending on the package selected, with no minimum term and the option to cancel at any time. The platform contains extensive self-help resources, videos, and guidance materials compiled by our team, and also provides access to a priority one-to-one chat service, priority helpline and email support, together with specialist case-handling advice and critique services. You can easily access a professional for one-to-one advice on most benefit-related issues. Should You Pay for Help With Your Disability Benefit Claim? The decision whether to pay for assistance with a PIP, ESA, Universal Credit, DLA, ADP or Attendance Allowance claim is entirely a personal one. Every individual’s circumstances, confidence levels and support needs are different. We believe people should be free to make an informed choice based on the level of help they feel they need, without pressure either way. We also offer alternative support options, including free advice by phone, email, message and face-to-face support where available, alongside our VIP self-help platform, guided self-representation, videos, sample forms, factsheets and fast access to our experienced team for guidance and expert critique when needed. There are many excellent organisations offering free advice and guidance, and, for some people, that support may be sufficient. Others may prefer more practical hands-on assistance throughout the claims and appeals process. We are always happy to signpost individuals to local free support services where appropriate. Neither option is right nor wrong. It is about finding the support that works best for you. Free Advice and Support
We recognise and value the important work carried out by organisations providing free welfare rights advice and support. Free guidance can be extremely helpful in understanding the benefit process, descriptors and appeals system. We also provide unlimited free information and guidance. Our free support service is available for most general enquiries relating to disability benefit claims and appeals, and our legal team can provide further guidance where needed or signpost to other services if a matter falls outside our area of expertise. You can contact us by email at [email protected] or call our free advice line on 0161 672 7444. Our Representation Services
Some people require more practical legal support with their claim, particularly where the process feels overwhelming or complex. In those situations, we may be able to offer assistance with:
• Initial PIP, Universal Credit, ESA, ADP, DLA and Attendance Allowance applications
• Reviewing and compiling supporting evidence
• Preparing legal submissions and liaising with the DWP and HMCTS where necessary
• Preparing for PIP and Work Capability Assessments
• Mandatory Reconsiderations for PIP, ESA, Universal Credit and DLA
• First-tier Tribunal appeals
• Upper Tribunal proceedings and set aside requests
Our representation services operate on either a fee-paying or pay-it-forward basis, depending on the type of case and level of support required. For appeals, there is usually an initial subsidised fee to help cover administrative and case-preparation costs, with optional add-on services available, such as legal submissions and, where possible, attendance at remote or in-person hearings. If your appeal is successful and you receive back pay, we invite clients to make a voluntary pay-it-forward donation. These donations help us continue providing free advice services to the wider community and support the ongoing running of our organisation. However, it is important to note that this is entirely voluntary and not contractual. We do not take a percentage of ongoing benefit awards or ongoing PIP payments. As a fully registered and compliant long-standing not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest all donations and payments directly into maintaining our free advice services, funding our daily advice lines and covering the running costs of our office and specialist team. Full details of fees and services for each benefit type are available on enquiry. We are also always open to discussing options for anybody struggling financially. In some circumstances, individuals with conditions such as MS or PCD may fall under separate service agreements where funding assistance may be available. Will We Take On Every Appeal Case? Unfortunately, no representative can ethically guarantee success or accept every case. We will always do our best to maximise the prospects of success, but this can sometimes require cooperation from the claimant in obtaining supporting evidence or documents which may strengthen the case. We will explain what is needed and support you through that process wherever possible. If important evidence cannot be obtained or there is insufficient time before a hearing, it can negatively affect the case. However, even when we cannot formally represent someone, we may still be able to provide extensive guidance and preparation through our VIP platform and advisory services. If you already have a hearing date or expect to receive one shortly, we recommend contacting us as early as possible on 0161 672 7444 or via email at [email protected] for free impartial advice. When agreeing to act, we carry out ongoing assessments of the claim, evidence and legal issues involved. This allows us to provide honest advice regarding the prospects of success and identify areas where further evidence or argument may strengthen the claim. There may be occasions where our legal opinion differs from the points a claimant wishes to pursue. In those situations, we will always explain why we believe certain descriptors are stronger or weaker legally and discuss alternative approaches openly and honestly. We will never deliberately exaggerate or misrepresent difficulties. Whilst this may not always be what someone hopes to hear, we believe that realistic and transparent advice is essential from the outset, whether someone is using our representation services or simply seeking guidance. We are highly experienced in disability benefit law and advocacy and remain committed to acting professionally, ethically and within the framework of the law at all times. Our founder and some members of our team are legally qualified to an LLB (Hons) 2:1 standard or above. Michelle has over 15 years of experience in disability benefit law and previously worked as head of welfare benefits within a solicitors' practice and before this as a law advocate at CAB. Fightback4Justice has supported thousands of disabled people since the introduction of PIP. In addition, our team includes long-standing, experienced advocates, a mental health nurse, and an assessment buddy with extensive experience working with assessment providers, the DWP, Tribunals, and related organisations. What If My Appeal Is Unsuccessful? Unfortunately, not every appeal is successful. If this happens, we will discuss the available options with you and advise on the most appropriate next steps. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve making a fresh claim, seeking permission to appeal further, requesting a Statement of Reasons or, where appropriate, considering an application to the Upper Tribunal. Where we believe there are arguable grounds of appeal, we can assist with obtaining written reasons and discussing the legal merits of any onward appeal. Our current Tribunal success rate is 89% over the last 13.5 years. Our Approach
PIP and other disability benefit decisions are based on legal tests, evidence and how difficulties affect somebody for the majority of the time. Good representation is not about exaggerating difficulties. It is about presenting accurate, properly evidenced legal arguments which reflect the claimant’s genuine day-to-day functioning. We ensure that relevant and up-to-date case law is used appropriately where applicable. Our aim is always to provide clear, honest and supportive assistance whilst helping people understand all of the options available to them, whether that is free advice, guided self-help, form filling support or full advocacy services.
