Bedroom tax: DWP can’t appeal vs DV mum at European Court

The government cruelly appeals against every court win which upholds our benefit rights and protects vulnerable claimants.  But the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has refused the DWP permission to appeal against the mum fleeing domestic violence and her son, who finally won against the bedroom tax at the ECHR … Read more

Tribunal victory gives hope to ‘failure to attend’ benefit victims

Shared from Disability News Service: By John Pring on 27th February 2020 A disabled woman’s tribunal victory has given hope to claimants who cannot take part in face-to-face benefit assessments for impairment, health, or trauma-related reasons, but then have their claims ended by the government for “failure to attend” their appointments. Jane* spent two years fighting for her … Read more

Justice for Jodey — legal case launched

Reposted from Disability News Service: Call for second Jodey Whiting inquest increases pressure for DWP deaths inquiry By John Pring on 9th January 2020 A mother who has asked the attorney general for permission to seek a second inquest into her disabled daughter’s suicide says it would boost growing calls for an inquiry into all deaths linked to … Read more

Universal Credit – 3rd court battle for severe disability premiums

 On Tuesday 3 December 2019 – International Day of Disabled People at Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL Court case starts 10.30am. Go into court room 73 to support the claimants, TP and AR. Court times to be listed here.  Continues Wednesday 4 December (afternoon only), Thursday 5 December, support in court needed. … Read more

Winning “thanks to WinVisible lifeline”

For two years, WinVisible has peer-supported disabled single mum Maria (not her real name) in South London, and provided her with information to secure benefits which the family needs: • She used our blog about the Personal Independence Payments (PIP) legal challenge on mobility needs and mental distress, to brief Merton Centre for Independent Living … Read more

PIP reviews — press your case!

Reviews are happening now of people’s PIP claims.  This follows several legal wins challenging benefits discrimination, including Ms R F, whom we supported at court in 2017 (see the report by Public Law Project).  Because of these successes, the government had to agree to check 1.6m PIP claims on whether we are getting our full entitlements. But … Read more

Bedroom tax win for mum threatened with domestic violence

A mum and her son who was aged 11 have finally won their legal challenge against the bedroom tax, after taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).  Nearly three years after she lost at the Supreme Court, on 24 October 2019 (Thursday), the European Court ruled that the UK government is discriminating against … Read more

Disability rights in the US — then and now

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in July 1990.  The success of the US disability movement — influenced by the anti-racist civil rights movement, women’s activism, and the demands of disabled Vietnam veterans like Ron Kovic, spurred on the UK campaign for anti-discrimination legislation.  We won the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. From the … Read more

Disabled mum won compensation vs Ealing refusal of child care support

It’s a fantastic victory that a disabled mum, Ms B, won against Ealing Council for not providing enough support for her to take care of her son. She took her case to the Local Government Ombudsman. Under the Care Act 2014 section 12, Councils have a duty to assess the needs of the family, not … Read more

Justice for Jodey — mum Joy Dove backed by Ken Loach

Film director Ken Loach, who made “I, Daniel Blake” (2016) to expose the brutalities of the benefits system, has given his support to Joy Dove, mum of Jodey Whiting. Ken Loach said on Twitter: “The DWP is still failing people – it may be worse now than it was when we made I, Daniel Blake.” In … Read more