BBC News - Bristol law centre gets 95% of 'fit-to-work' decisions overturned

This is important for appeals. My benefit medical didn't need to go to appeal this time, but I would have gone to Avon and Bristol Law if it had. South West Law also used to do this, including twice for me, but they've closed (due to legal aid cuts I suspect).

BBC News - Bristol law centre gets 95% of 'fit-to-work' decisions overturned

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-34266659?post_id=10153581589642289_10153955773507289

16 September 2015
 From the section Bristol

More than nine out of ten "fit-to-work" appeals handled by volunteers at a Bristol law centre found claimants were wrongly told they had to work.
Working under supervision, the trainee law students helped with the paperwork many people found too complicated.
The Avon and Bristol Law Centre found in the past year 95 of the 100 cases were overturned. Nationally it is 59%.
The Department for Work and Pensions said anyone who disagreed with a decision is eligible to make an appeal.

'Long and complex'

"Our reforms are helping people into work while making sure sick and disabled people get the support they need," a DWP spokesman said.

"Decisions for eligibility to Employment and Support Allowance are based on an assessment of the impact of an individual's disability or health condition that takes into account all of the evidence provided."

Marcus Keppel-Palmer, a senior law lecturer at the University of the West of England, said in times when access to justice is being restricted through cuts, it is important the vulnerable can be helped.

"The practical experience that students gain in undertaking supervised work like this informs their further academic studies, and I am very proud of the success of these students," he said

One of the people helped is Chris Bradley, from Bristol, who suffers from severe back pain and depression.

Following his Work Capability Assessment he was told he was "fit-to-work", a decision he said resulted in him trying to take his own life.

"If I'd tried to do [the appeal] on my own I would have probably failed," he said.

"You can download a guide to putting in an appeal but it is so long and complex - it's a minefield.

"[And] you have a limited amount of time to get your paperwork in."

Law students had to help a man in debilitating pain fight being declared 'fit to work' - http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/welfare/2015/09/law-students-had-help-man-debilitating-pain-fight-being-declared-fit-work - Avon and Bristol Law