Having joined the firm in 1998 as a Welfare Assistant, John now specialises in Disability Benefits and is well known for his expertise in Welfare Law. John has set up and regularly attends advice centres throughout Liverpool, which enable him to provide advice to various communities.

John's Practice focuses on advising clients, who include ethnic minorities, mental health groups and probation services in the following areas of Welfare Law:

Office

Liverpool (City Centre)

John is also based in Liverpool at:

Lodge Lane Credit Union, Thursdays (10am – 12pm)
Edge Hill Credit Union, Wednesdays (10am – 12pm)
Somali Centre, 1st Wednesday of each month
Crown Street Day Centre, 1st Thursday in each month
Reed Employment Zone, Tuesdays at 12:45pm

Work Specialisms

Social Welfare
Disability Law
Benefits Law
Elder Law

Representative Matters

Disability Benefit - Securing a Severe Disability Premium Entitlement

Originally attended at Crown Street Day Centre in Liverpool, to discuss the possibility of a free bus-pass. However, following our assessment, we discovered a discrepancy in his benefit entitlement.

Client suffered from mental health problems. His father had passed away 3 months prior to the meeting and client did not understand the effect that this would have on his benefit entitlement.

Client was in receipt of Middle Rate Care of Disability Living Allowance and, as his father died, he lived alone. He was therefore entitled to a Severe Disability Premium, which is payable at the rate of £52.85 per week.

We contacted the Benefits Agency to inform them of the change in circumstances and to request that they reassess his Income Support entitlement to include this £52.85 per week.

Our client is now receiving this payment and has received outstanding arrears of £3,402.20.

Successful Reconsideration of a Mobility Benefit Refusal

Client had made an application for Disability Living Allowance which was refused, as they stated that he did not meet the criteria for the benefit.

The client felt he did not wish to pursue the matter any further. However, when we considered the evidence, we advised the client that he had merely failed to meet the criteria for the waiting period. Accordingly, we advised him that we would request a reconsideration on his behalf.

His reconsideration was successful and he was awarded Highest Rate Mobility of £49.10 per week and Lowest Rate Care of £18.15, a total of £67.75 per week (£271 per month).

Interests

John’s interests include all sports, history and politics.