DLA mandatory reconsideration

[EmIdax]

So it was 25 weeks ago yesterday since I made a MR. DLA told me yesterday (29/04/25) that the decision makers work longer hours than the call handlers so it may be done on the day and to ring back this morning for an update. I have just got off the phone to them and the call handler told me they have no idea why it hasn’t been done yet, she attempted to call through to a case manager to investigate but it didn’t go through. She’s now said she will have someone call me in the next 2 working days. Feeling a little frustrated with this as I made the original claim over a year ago so it’s taken a really long time and seems to be no end in sight. Has anyone had anything similar at all?

Snap! We are on 26 weeks and 3 days .. I rung last Monday and did manage to talk to a decision maker who said that on the day they were dealing 24/10 applications. And to ring back in 10 days. Our was submitted on 28/10.

I also have rung this morning and like you could only talk to a call handler and not a decision maker .. so still no updates.

Do you know what I’m fairly certain they just put me on hold and didn’t even speak to a decision maker lol. I’ll bet they’re just giving generated excuses to everyone who rings. It’s very frustrating. They would give us the time of day if we sent our forms in a couple of days late let alone a 5 weeks extension. Ugh.

O yes! Definitely.. I am also still waiting for my return phonecall which has not been returned within two working days. June last year we 1st applied for DLA 🙄 .. it's the unknown and with no communication that is the frustrating part.

I’ll be ringing them straight back on Friday and failing that I’ll put a complaint through. 25 weeks is a long enough time as it is and I’m only a day over. You’re 10 and they’re still fobbing you off🙄not okay is it

Even at 23 weeks I rung up only to be told that the case had already been assigned to a case worker 😕 .. I understand back logs but only communication we have had was a letter stating it could take 15 weeks .. that's it. I don't understand why they have operators that cannot give you any information regarding the matter. Waste of time, and wages.

Some MRs are taking longer than 25 weeks. Try not to worry.

I also was told weeks ago it had been assigned to a case manager then they said weeks later it wasn’t with anyone yet!! I think they may be reallllly over limit with applications and they’re just being told to stick to a script with all of the people ringing

We applied on the 11th December but we put in for my son's claim originally on the 4th January 2023 I'm so incredibly angry at the way his case has been treated , my son is currently out of his special needs school as they cannot handle his outbursts, he has savere mobility problems because he is overweight and they don't know why , he's severely autistic , he has suspected ADHD he has global developmental delay , and genetic disability he's on a ventilator at night time if he doesn't have it he will die , but he didn't meet the criteria for dla I've sent letters outlining his conditions letters from his health professionals ,, we desperately need the money to get him the support he desperately needs and a bit of rest bite for me as funding from councils are near to none , it's absolutely disgusting the way we get nothing and have to go through this process , but other parents get it straight away or have to wait just shy of a year and the dla is approved. just fed up as no support what so ever it's been 26 weeks today and nothing . So that's nearly 2 Years and 5 months . He's 7 years old and yes a nice backdated payment we possibly will get but we needed the support two years ago I can't get that time back with my son or other children who have suffered emensley,

O yes, genuine cases always seem to be rejected. I was waiting 27 weeks and 3 days before we heard off a mandatory reconsideration. Countless phone calls. And poor communication back. Keep on to them now, ring them everyday if you have too. 25 week is like there limit time. Ring them tomorrow 1st thing. The operator will escalate it with the assigned case worker to your son's case. It will become frustrating as they will try and put you InTouch with the case worker but you won't get to talk to them. At this point I even put in numerous complaints. You are near the finish line, I promise. Your hard work, love and and patience will hopefully pay off.

Oh my gosh this is awful I’m sorry you’re going through this😢will you be pushing for a tribunal? I’ll bet the courts will award you straight away

Did you manage to get a decision in the end? It’s been 4 weeks overdue as of today and I was told just an hour ago it’s not their fault as they finally contacted my child’s school…. on Friday… at 5:30pm… and nobody was there.. duh. They’ve shifted the blame to the school for not answering and pretty much said I’ll now have to wait because the school telephone says they are closed for the half term break so I’m looking at another 2 weeks now. It’s just one hurdle after the other, I’m sick of them “passing me over” to someone or telling me they’ll call back within 2 hours. They either tell me nobody is available to answer or simply don’t ring back. It’s annoying they’ve said it’s the schools fault for not answering as if they’ve not waited a month after their deadline to contact them anyway. Ugh. Telling myself the longer we wait the bigger the backpayment will be so at least we’ll be able to fund his SEN pushchair and some equipment for his bedroom.

@EmIdax have you looked at grants for an SN buggy and equipment?

@Helenmwalker86 if DS is unable to attend school, is alternative provision in place? Have you had an early review of DS’s EHCP? If you have been refused social care respite, have you challenged the decision?

If your son is missing out on much needed equipment for a better quality help with day to day living then have you contacted your local councillor/MP? Name and shame .. unfortunately as a parent with a disabled child/children we have to fright strongly for them. Even when the world feels against us. Our child's need/love gives us strength. Feel no shame in doing what is needed to be done for your child.

Thank you guys your messages mean a lot, I feel very alone with n this process, the school my son is supposed to attend I believe is for naughty kids , my sister in law works for a special school and she has said they shouldn't restrain my son as many times as they have , I no my son can be very challenging and he can have physical outbursts but he would never intentionally hurt another child , but they restrain him at least two times a day , he comes home crying begging me not to send him ,I tried to talk to the school as he has severe sensory issues due to his disability and they said they won't stop restraint, he will be hurt in the process all if he picks up a toy to throw , the ehcp thinks his setting is suitable for him not even requesting to talk to me since this issue has arose, I've asked the council but have been told funding is very limited as our council have been near to being bankrupt mad I know , I've messaged my MP in the past but felt they didn't touch on the problem, my family are not willing to look after Freddie and I wouldn't feel right asking I've not had a break since he was a year old I find it very overwhelming, and I've thought great we can use his money to pay for someone to support him as he enjoyed outreach will Tilly but that stopped as soon as he had his school placement. I just feel very frustrated at the system but know I'm not alone these children are being overlooked and neglected but it feels like I can't do a single thing .

@Helenmwalker86 if you want another placement, did you appeal when you last had the right of appeal? It is irrelevant what money the council has or doesn’t have. Ultimately, it isn’t them making the decision. If you haven’t appealed, in order to get the right to appeal, have you formally requested an early review?

Alongside this, request alternative provision from the LA if DS can’t attend school. On their website, ISPEA has a model letter you can use.

Ask the school for their risk assessments and restraint policy.

You can request social care assessments - a carer’s assessment for you and an assessment via the disabled children’s team for DS. On their website, Contact has model letters you can use. If you are refused assessments or they assess but refuse to provide support, you can challenge their decisions.

Were on the child services in need plan but children services have no funding our social worker is amazing and she makes me feel so good about myself and the care I give Freddie , I received a letter from education the other day threatening me with court I don't care I will not send my son to a school he's incredibly unhappy at, I just hope this dla is paid soon so I can have the break I desperately need and Freddie can have a break also , we do maths and wrighting but being around me all the time must be hard, I will keep you all updated on my situation x

@Helenmwalker86 formally request an early review of the EHCP. You can use one of IPSEA’s model letters to do this too.

You can challenge children’s services not providing support. Lack of funding isn’t an acceptable excuse to not provide provision.

When Freddie first was restrained I asked for a report they said they didn't report restraining students, they are only negative about Freddie never positive , they all seem very stressed and rude he has no care plan they don't ever know what he likes , I said I would go in to support Freddie and show them the way I deal with Freddie's out bursts , I was told yes but I couldn't write anything down and if he kicked off then I would have to leave the school like why do I go in then,?? What is ds and la sorry I'm knew to this lol

DS is dear or darling son. LA is local authority.

I would make a subject access request to the school. They should be recording incidents requiring the restraint you describe.

NC SD 08/01 Just been denied dla so put in for mandatory reconsideration… another long wait xxx

It’s been 30 weeks for us now and still no decision made. They tried contacting my child’s school last Friday at gone 5pm obviously they didn’t answer🙄now blaming the school for the delay and telling me it’ll probably be at least a couple weeks until they get back in contact with the school. Feels like no end in sight, it’s a joke tbh. If they deny it after all this I’ll be writing a letter of complaint. Thing is I’ve sent EHCP and letters from his social worker etc. They can clearly see in his documents that he fits into all 5 criteria points/test means for high rate mobility. I’m honestly so fed up with them! On top of that DS is having a massive regression spout with the holidays and hasn’t slept since Tuesday night, I’m bloody knackered and could do with some good news tbh x

Hi all wondered if anybody could help me? Basically, I’ve missed the deadline for normal reconsideration so I now need to do a late mandatory reconsideration. My son was a wall deed for two years only after a renewal he has ADHD autism Speech And Language problems and being currently tested for Tourette’s what are people’s thoughts on asking for a longer length in claim? The man I spoke to on the phone wasn’t very helpful at all basically said that my claim could go up or down or have it For less period of time so I just want people to views and they are answers and reconsiderations that they got because I’m generally stuck in what to do . I don’t wanna lose a current award that I get for him but it’s just the length of time I feel that he should’ve got it for a longer period and I sent off a Speech And Language report which showed that he was a few years behind his actual age and his care needs have gone up so I’m unsure of why you only got awarded for two years. We have a blue badge and awaiting an EHCP x

If you are happy with the rates awarded, a MR for the length of the award is daft, IMO.

Can I ask if this is his 1st pip award? They do only usually do a short period on 1st application e.g. 2 years. If your happy with his award I wouldn't bother with a MR .. build up your evidence ready for his renewal and hopefully they will award him longer next time!!

DLA and PIP are not the same benefit.

The award length depends on the individual case and, to an extent, whose desk it lands on. Not all initial awards, DLA or PIP, are only for 2 years.