Are Fightback4Justice worth using at tribunal?

Autistic_Superpower

Hi all

I was wondering if I could get some advice please? I have been on standard PIP daily living (10 points) & mobility (8 points) with my long covid and recently was given my autism diagnosis, after waiting several years for it.

I have several complex issues with autism which I could deal with (just about) when I had a load of energy, but now I have long covid I really struggle.

The DWP have uprated me to enhanced mobility (I’m now on 18 points) but have given me nothing extra for daily living, where I know I REALLY struggle in several of the areas they’ve not awarded me in.

They have now knocked me back at mandatory reconsideration for extra points so I am going to appeal to tribunal, however as I’m autistic I struggle to get my points across.

I have found the CAB in my area really poor so I can’t use them, I wondered if anyone has used Fightback4Justice or similar?

The reviews online on Google are positive, with 600+, however on Trustpilot they only have 30 reviews and an average of 3 out of 5, making me wonder if they’re gaming / scamming the system?

As I’m disabled I’m entitled to a local advocacy service on my behalf anyway, however mine is called n-compass, it only has 15 stars on Google reviews and an average of 3.5 there, with quite a few 1* reviews.

I understand I’d lose a third of any back pay I’d get but I’m just looking at the best possible help I can get right now, and any help would be really appreciated please?

poppy123456

My honest opinion of them is I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. I think it's disgusting that they charge people for the service they provide.

Many people go through the Tribunal process without any expert help or advice so it's definitely possible. The success rate for Tribunal is about 70% providing you either appear in person or have a telephone/video hearing.

Try this link to see if there's a Welfare Rights or a Law centre in your area.

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

It's not unusual for the MR decision to remain the same as only about 23% of them change in your favour.

whistles

I would not trust reviews on Trust Pilot. They are biased as companies can get one star reviews removed.

Autistic_Superpower

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957297#Comment_957297

Thanks Poppy, unfortunately I’ve tried all the local links you suggested in my area and they have all helped me as much as they could.

I have had friends of the family who have had lifelong disabilities go through PIP tribunals this last 12 months too, and in their own words “made to feel like criminals” and “like everyone there is doing everything they can to trip you up and use it against you”, it was one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives.

I have no doubt not every tribunal is like that, but I am now getting an unbelievable amount of pressure from family & friends to ‘lawyer up’ to protect myself here, which despite me telling them is only adding to my stress, they are telling me they’re only doing it for my benefit, which I know they are - Especially because they know I am autistic & can struggle with communication.

So now I am in the position of trying to find the best representation at the cheapest price, are Fightback actually any good? And if not, who are my alternatives because I am not in a position to do it myself and the advice services are very lacking in my area.

Autistic_Superpower

Thanks Whistles, it sounds like the Google reviews are actually more accurate than Trust Pilot then!

Which is surprising, as there are far more and they are much much higher, but maybe that is a good thing then.

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957331#Comment_957331