DLA wait times part 18…. (2023)

[Mummyrach13]

Following on from part 17…

I seriously wonder if it just depends on the person who answers the phone for timescales… and they can say anything from 17-19 weeks and it’s more or less up to them to manage expectations how they deem fit. Or is it that they don’t read their internal comms about updated timescales or infact they don’t get any inside communication about it? For all the woman I spoke to was nice there was no apology for delays, or the 50 times I’ve called and been cut off and no explanation of the actual claim handling process etc…she just said to me 17.5 weeks, but until what? A decision? A DM? To go into a holding pile? I’ve heard it all on this thread with what happens to our claims but none of us are told the same thing. There is no consistency which just leads to more uncertainty and more calls to them. I mean why have they added the 15 week thing on the automated service now when that’s clearly not true?! Or is it area based and they say different times depending on area workloads? I don’t think they realise the pressure, stress and anxiety of just completing the the form in the first place about our precious children, having to highlight and think about all of the reasons they struggle and need DLA etc to then have all of this worry and waiting afterwards. Maybe if they did understand there would be a lot more compassion from them for us all.

@Mrsstephens04 I've just got through so hopefully you'll be through any minute now! Good luck on your call hope you get some good news!!!x

@Pumpkins3 @Tmxx just got through and they said it's taking 17.5 to get to a DM so should be with them this weekend/Monday and to call back on Tuesday Wednesday next week! Finally our wait is nearly over! X

@Tmxx Thank you. This is what I am worried about, I know they can take away awards so I don't want to upset the apple cart so to speak. I have been awaiting for the asd assesment so when have diagnoses I can then go to them with lot's of evidence.

@PinkMoscatoLover Thank you. I know what is right and what I should do and what my child should be entitiled too but good old DLA and the unfair system has other ideas.

I just wasn't sure to go ahead and get the ball rolling seems it is such a wait but probably best to hang on and get the extra evidence from ASD first, if I have to do a COC, I wasn't sure.

When finally my child was awarded. The DM had called me to verify a couple of things and she said they needed diagnoses to confirm what was being said. So when have ASD diagnoses then contact them and let them know as this will then back up my original claim.

However surely same applies for the other condition as this is what the award was given on, I have evidence from hospitial and specialists about it deteriating and that they have found further issues and is effecting my childs mobility, hence I now have to be a full time carer.

But it's such a faff. Maybe I will just wait and hope the assesment won't be much longer so I can go back to them with lot's of evidence with a coc and then I can go back to being a stress head in the DLA queue.

Thank you both for your responces, much appreciated.

Woo! Thanks for letting me know. Sounds like we’re finally getting there. Roll on next week😁 x

Hi how long is it taking for people to through now please

@Kelz23 took me 1 hour 6 minutes I started calling at 9.05! Good luck if you are calling!x

@Pumpkins3 awh no worries! And I know going to be biting my nails over the weekend waiting!! Phoning Tuesday definitely!! X

@Mommaof2babas thank you 55 mins in hopefully not much longer

@Kelz23 awh definitely shouldn't be much longer! What's your scan date if you don't mind me asking! Hopefully you get some good news in your call!

@Kelz23 I'm on 48 mins so far!

@Mommaof2babas its the 3/7 I called at 9 to be told no decision to get text at 9.30 so just calling now again to see what’s what .

I’m on the phone been waiting 65 mins so far….

@Thismamalife its nightmare isn’t it. Wish they hurry up answer this music giving me right bad head

Finally got through after an hour and 20 minutes lovely lady told me there's no updates as of yet but should be looking between 21st&28th November to go to a decision maker
Scan date 26/07

Anyone been awarded today?

My scan dates 12/07. I wasn't going to call till follow Monday but I caved in and called
Was told wait times have increased due to so many claims coming in and it is now apparently 19.5 weeks!! I was told I'd hear back end of November

@Kelz23 awh hopefully you got good news with your text! Good luck calling!

@Sskanf same scan date as me I got of the phone to them about 30 minutes ago they said takes 17.5 weeks and should be with a decision maker over the weekend/Monday and to call back tuesday/Wednesday?

@Mommaof2babas @Sskanf I honestly don't know how they can get away with telling people different time scales unless they can see on your claim it's own particular time scale. 17.5 weeks to 19.5 weeks is a massive increase. I hope for the both of u it's 17.5 and you don't have to wait much longer xx

Just got through been awarded hrc and lrm till 2025 😭

@mooneigh I’m sorry to hear it’s been such a faff. You should join us on the SN board as a lot of us have experience of taking the LA/DWP to tribunal.

What you can do, is start the COC process with the evidence you have. As it’s such a long wait, you can still submit any further evidence that you get whilst you’re waiting on a decision. That may be the best bet? As Tmxx said, they can take the award away but fight it all the way if your child has extra care needs

Omg @Kelz23 congrats lovely!! Glad the wait is now over for you!! ❤️

@DanniiB1983 hey I’m coc too my scan date is 09/06 there’s also another person @Jneill2021 whi is coc and I think hers is 17/05, she’s been waiting over the recommended time frame I think she said , ridiculous how long it’s taking x

Omg @Kelz23 congratulations!!!!! Your wait is finally over!!!!

@Asdmummyhere I know! It's completely ridiculous we have the same scan dates and both phoned this morning to be told 2 different dates!
Could it be possible that maybe different areas maybe different building or does every claim from the country go to the same building? I wouldn't know?

I honestly don't know why they kept telling us different things its so frustrating. I wouldn't go by what I was told though as right now it seems like this week people date 6/7 already wity a DM so if it continues this way they should be in mid July by next week for sure

I mentioned the auto msg about 15 weeks and was told thats an old time frame