DLA WAIT TIMES 2026

[Emssxo]

Hi everyone 👋

I thought I’d make a post in case it helps any other parents and also because I’d love to find some people to go through this waiting period with.

My eldest son (now 7) had his original DLA form received on 05/04/2024. He was awarded Middle Rate Care and Low Rate Mobility on 02/08/2024 until February 2026.

His renewal form was then sent off on 08/12/2025 and we received a decision on 14/01/2026, with the same awards continuing until 2028.

I’ve now submitted my 5-year-old son’s first DLA claim. It was sent signed for and received on 28/05/2026. I haven’t had confirmation that it’s been scanned onto the system yet, so the waiting game begins all over again.

As a single mum to two boys, I always find this process incredibly overwhelming. Sitting and writing pages about all the things your child struggles with and can’t do compared to other children their age is heartbreaking, even when you know you’re simply being honest. The forms take so much emotional energy.

When I applied for my eldest in 2024, I actually met some lovely parents through groups like this and still speak to some of them now, so I thought I’d reach out again.

If you’re currently waiting for a decision, I would really appreciate it if any parents can please comment with when your form was received and how long you’ve been waiting. I’d also be really grateful to hear if anyone has had a recent decision in 2026 and what current wait times seem to be.

Wishing everyone the best of luck with their claims. ❤️

I got the text on 01-07 so I am just after you. Will be interesting to see if it’s in date order? What area are you?

I'm from Birmingham what about u x

How long after your extra evidence was delivered did you call up to check they had added it onto your claim?

Yeah I'm gonna give them call to see if they have added my extra evidence to my claim and then see if they tell me anything

Hi, I sent it on the 18th of August, and they told me this morning they received it, and its all now waiting for Decision maker.

Had anyone had a decision on coc scan date june

I sent my son's claim form, evidence and a 48 hour diary and received text confirmation of receipt on 29th July. Sent additional evidence (detailed letter from GP backing up everything I put in the 48 hour diary) on 18th Aug via Royal Mail signed for, which Royal Mail confirmed delivery on 19th Aug. Considering phoning tomorrow to check if they have scanned the additional evidence to the file. Looking through the comments, it seems lots of people are getting decisions just after the 7 week mark from their text confirmations of claim receipt. I'm at about 3 weeks now, so fingers crossed I might hear back in September. Good luck everyone! Hope you're not waiting too long.

On a separate note.. Has anyone put their claim info / evidence through ChatGPT and asked it to give a prediction of DLA rates that would be awarded by analysing it against the DLA claim criteria? I did this and wondered how accurate the prediction might be.

I just done this haha! I didn’t think about this and try to avoid AI but it said middle rate, high rate is arguable but her age is taken into consideration with night needs which I think if fair enough to be honest I don’t think she qualifies for high rate but we shall see! She wakes up for an hour a night every night 🙃

How do you do this??!!! X

So I actually wrote everything out I was putting on the form before I wrote it down on paper so I copied all that, told it the evidence I had and what it says in a nutshell, then asked it to compare my claim against the Dla assessment criteria and it told me! Xx

Sorry typo I wrote it on a Google doc! ** xx

That’s brilliant! I need to move out of the dark ages and learn AI 🤣 x

Let's see how accurate it is when we get our decisions. Hope you get what you need.
ChatGPT said it would be surprised if my son got less than high rate care and low rate mobility. But he is 12 and his care needs are more of what you'd expect for a 3 year old really, he can't leave the house alone and he has night time care needs of around 1 1/2 hours each time about 3 times a week. But we'll see. I'll update when I get the decision.

My mum applied for DLA for my autistic brother at 14. She didn’t even know it was a thing until then. His needs were somewhat similar to what you’re describing for your son and he ended up with HRC and LRM. That was years back now. Hopefully you will be awarded that as it sounds like that’s what you’re entitled to. X

Don’t quote me on how accurate it is lol! But it distracted me from thinking about a decision for 15 minutes 🤣 x

Yeah I didn't know about DLA either. No one seems to tell you anything. I've just been plodding along on my own. I home educate him too as school wasn't suitable for him, we did try for a few months when he was 4.

Oh love you! No they really don’t. My HV didn’t even know much about it to be honest she just mentioned carers allowance if I couldn’t work because of my daughters needs. My brother was also home educated so had no IDP/EHCP evidence to send just incase you also didn’t have anything like that to give you piece of mind. To be honest all my mum sent was his diagnosis report. X

It’s been over 7 weeks for me since the text and I rang today, it hasn’t been allocated yet so still awhile to wait

Thanks for that. I was able to send a really detailed letter from his GP describing his high care needs including support with everyday tasks, that I have to home educate him due to 'complex needs', that he can't go out by himself due to elective mutism and no safety awareness. His nighttime incontinence etc.. so hopefully that should be sufficient. Have put him forward for Occupational Therapy too (as again, I wasn't aware of that either until recently.) Hoping I haven't missed anything else!

Hope you get news soon

Honestly that sounds like some really strong evidence! I think it’s clear to see based on that he has substantial needs compared to peers of the same age. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you. X

My scan date is 12th June, current award ended 31st July, iv missed a call today! Fuming with myself

Thanks, I'll cross my fingers for you too :-)

Did you call them back x