About firm-bracket

Eight years of helping people claim what they're owed

Founded on a Simple Frustration

firm-bracket started in 2018 when our founder, having worked in local authority welfare rights for over a decade, grew increasingly frustrated watching eligible people miss out on benefits—not because they didn't qualify, but because the system was too difficult to navigate.

The tipping point came after helping his own grandmother claim pension credit she'd been missing for four years. Nearly £15,000 in backdated payments arrived within weeks. If someone with inside knowledge of the system hadn't stepped in, that money would have remained unclaimed indefinitely.

We set out to bridge this gap. Not through charity, but through practical, accessible advisory services that treat every client's case with the attention it deserves.

APPROVED

Our Core Values

Thoroughness

We don't settle for obvious answers. Every case gets a complete review to uncover all possible entitlements, even ones clients didn't know existed.

Plain Language

Welfare jargon excludes people. We explain everything in terms anyone can understand, because knowledge is the first step to getting results.

Dignity

Claiming benefits shouldn't feel shameful. We treat every client with respect and remind them: these are entitlements, not handouts.

Persistence

The system often says no when it should say yes. We know how to challenge decisions, and we don't give up on cases that have merit.

Our Leadership Team

David Harrington

Founder & Principal Advisor

Former local authority welfare rights officer with 18 years of experience. David has personally handled over 4,000 benefit cases and trains new advisors across the sector.

Patricia Okonkwo

Head of Client Services

Patricia oversees our case management team and ensures every client receives consistent, high-quality support from first contact through to resolution.

Michael Chen

Appeals Specialist

With a background in tribunal advocacy, Michael leads our appeals work. His 94% success rate reflects deep knowledge of how decisions are made and challenged.

Key Milestones

2018

firm-bracket Founded

Started as a one-person operation from a home office in East London, focusing on pension credit and attendance allowance cases.

2019

First Team Member

Hired our first full-time advisor. Case volume had tripled in 12 months through word-of-mouth referrals alone.

2020

Pandemic Response

Shifted to fully remote consultations. Helped hundreds navigate emergency benefit changes during COVID-19 lockdowns.

2021

Appeals Unit Launched

Established dedicated appeals team after recognising how many initial rejections could be successfully challenged.

2023

£10 Million Milestone

Cumulative benefits recovered for clients passed £10 million. Expanded to Canary Wharf office.

2025

National Recognition

Named in the top 20 welfare advisory services by Advice UK. Team grew to 12 full-time advisors.

Our Advisory Philosophy

We believe the welfare system, despite its flaws, generally works when applications are submitted correctly. The problem is that "correctly" often means navigating arcane rules, understanding assessment criteria that aren't publicly explained, and knowing which evidence actually matters.

Our advisors act as translators between clients and the system. We don't game the process or exaggerate circumstances—we simply ensure that genuine entitlements are presented in ways decision-makers can understand and approve.

This isn't about finding loopholes. It's about making sure the system works as intended for people who need it.

Professional Accreditations

Advice Quality Standard

Independently audited for service quality and client outcomes

DWP Partnership

Registered with the Department for Work and Pensions

ICO Registered

Fully compliant with data protection regulations

Welfare Rights Trained

All advisors hold recognised welfare rights qualifications

Let's Talk About Your Situation

Whether you're unsure about your entitlements or struggling with a claim, we're here to help.

Get in Touch