Page 14 | DLA WAIT TIMES 2026

Emssxo · 2026-06-06T21:14:52+00:00

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. ❤️

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:42

Hi I sent my sons dla new claim form off on 27/7 scanned in on the 28/7 got asked for birth certificate on 4th August sent 11th August and it got signed for 12th August so just waiting now. Im very nervous as he is only 2 but got suspected autism been referred to pedeactrics he also has a speech delay(currently non verbal).

Mummyof2under4 · 20/08/2026 23:44

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:42

Hi I sent my sons dla new claim form off on 27/7 scanned in on the 28/7 got asked for birth certificate on 4th August sent 11th August and it got signed for 12th August so just waiting now. Im very nervous as he is only 2 but got suspected autism been referred to pedeactrics he also has a speech delay(currently non verbal).

Hi! Similar situation to me. Scanned 22nd and birth certificate received by Dla the 11th! My daughter is also 2 so a nervous wait 😭x

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:47

@Mummyof2under4 it’s very nerve racking waiting isn’t it. I have a lot of people saying ‘well he’s only 2 all 2 year olds require support’ I don’t think they realise just how much extra support our children require. And it’s always going to feel really disappointing if rejected as it makes you feel you are not believed! I really hope you get the best outcome, if you can keep me updated and I will you! Good luck xx

Mummyof2under4 · 20/08/2026 23:52

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:47

@Mummyof2under4 it’s very nerve racking waiting isn’t it. I have a lot of people saying ‘well he’s only 2 all 2 year olds require support’ I don’t think they realise just how much extra support our children require. And it’s always going to feel really disappointing if rejected as it makes you feel you are not believed! I really hope you get the best outcome, if you can keep me updated and I will you! Good luck xx

It can be a whole new ball game with a child with additional needs. My son is 4 and neurotypical and at 2 he could get his point across verbally and by pointing etc. he had his tantrums etc but my daughter has severe meltdowns daily over not being able to communicate. It is 100x harder. And when there is a receptive language delay and they don’t understand either it’s so so difficult. Honestly don’t listen to others. You know your child best❤️. I will keep you informed! X

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:56

@Mummyof2under4 that is like my son! He cannot say 1 word so can’t communicate which leads to him getting frustrated and head banging. It’s also the night people think it’s stops when they sleep but that’s WHEN they sleep isn’t it! His poor little head gets in awful states! We are just waiting to see the paediatrics and speech and language at the hospital. And thankyou so much!x

Mummyof2under4 · 21/08/2026 00:08

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:56

@Mummyof2under4 that is like my son! He cannot say 1 word so can’t communicate which leads to him getting frustrated and head banging. It’s also the night people think it’s stops when they sleep but that’s WHEN they sleep isn’t it! His poor little head gets in awful states! We are just waiting to see the paediatrics and speech and language at the hospital. And thankyou so much!x

Oh bless you both 💔. It is so hard. It’s constant isn’t it. And even when they sleep we’re still sat up worrying about them hitting milestones etc. hopefully you won’t wait too long for peads! I debated back and fourth with a doctor for a SALT referral for my daughter because in my area they don’t usually refer till 27 months but i managed to get her referred earlier at just gone 2. So we’ve seen the pead and the SALT now. X

Original poster

Emssxo · 21/08/2026 01:32

UPDATE – 21/08/26 😭❤️
I honestly can’t believe I’m finally updating this thread with some good news!
My youngest son’s first DLA claim was received on 28/05/26. I rang on 01/07 and was told they definitely had it but it still hadn’t been scanned onto the system. After that I just kept waiting and waiting with no acknowledgement, reference number or scan date.
Then on Monday 17/08, almost 12 weeks after they received it, I finally rang again because I was getting really worried. The man I spoke to told me the form hadn’t been lost but had been sitting in what he called a “white queue” waiting to be registered. He manually did something while I was on the phone to get it registered and told me I should receive a letter within around a week. I came off the phone relieved it wasn’t lost, but also feeling sick thinking I’d waited nearly 12 weeks just for it to be registered and that the actual decision wait might only just be beginning.
Then today, 21/08, completely out of nowhere, a backdated DLA payment appeared in my bank 😭😭 I still haven’t received the decision letter so obviously I’m waiting for that before saying anything is 100% confirmed, based on the amount and the dates it works out exactly as Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility, backdated from 28th May but I still need the letter just to confirm my maths🤦🏼‍♀️.
I’m honestly in shock. On Monday I thought we could still have months left to wait and now it looks like a decision had actually been made. I’ve spent the whole waiting period second guessing everything I wrote on the form and worrying that I’d explained his needs badly or missed something important, so the relief is huge.
For anyone whose claim is still waiting to be scanned or registered, I really wanted to come back and update because mine seems to have gone from being stuck in that queue to a payment landing just four days after I rang. So please don’t automatically assume that once it gets registered your whole decision wait starts again from the beginning.
I’ll update again when the actual award letter arrives and confirms everything properly. Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on this thread over the last couple of months and shared their own waits with me. It genuinely made the whole process feel a lot less lonely ❤️
And please don’t feel like because I’ve had an update now that this thread has to stop here — I really hope everyone feels comfortable carrying on using it to share their own updates, wait times, decisions, questions or just to have a little moan when the waiting gets too much 😂❤️ I started it because I wanted somewhere we could all go through the waiting together, so I’d genuinely love for people to keep updating here.
I really hope everyone still waiting gets the awards they deserve very soon 🤞🏻❤️

OP posts:

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 07:08

Boymum234 · 20/08/2026 23:42

Hi I sent my sons dla new claim form off on 27/7 scanned in on the 28/7 got asked for birth certificate on 4th August sent 11th August and it got signed for 12th August so just waiting now. Im very nervous as he is only 2 but got suspected autism been referred to pedeactrics he also has a speech delay(currently non verbal).

Hey, I'm in the exactly same situation as you. My son is 2 nearly 3 and is completely non verbal and on the waiting list for autism assessment so I completely understand how you feel. My son started speaking when he was 9 months old then all off suddenly just before he turned 2 he stopped speaking, stop communicating, stop gesturing everything you name it he stopped doing it. Now he will only eat by me physically feeding him as well as drinking. He has become obsessed with things like lights, bubble, spinning car wheels. I can deal with every but the non verbal kills me! So you are not alone and I'm praying that he gets accepted for his DLA as it may seem small to someone else but for me it's not. I have to care for him 24/7 and only me or his dad can settle him when gets upset by things he doesn't like. It's little things like we can't even enjoy a family meal out as he will not eat anywhere apart from at home. He doesn't show no excitement on his birthday won't even open a present just hits you hard. I really hope you get awarded

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 09:37

Leannelln · 20/08/2026 14:11

I'm from Birmingham what about u x

Stratford upon Avon - not far from you

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 09:40

Emssxo · 21/08/2026 01:32

UPDATE – 21/08/26 😭❤️
I honestly can’t believe I’m finally updating this thread with some good news!
My youngest son’s first DLA claim was received on 28/05/26. I rang on 01/07 and was told they definitely had it but it still hadn’t been scanned onto the system. After that I just kept waiting and waiting with no acknowledgement, reference number or scan date.
Then on Monday 17/08, almost 12 weeks after they received it, I finally rang again because I was getting really worried. The man I spoke to told me the form hadn’t been lost but had been sitting in what he called a “white queue” waiting to be registered. He manually did something while I was on the phone to get it registered and told me I should receive a letter within around a week. I came off the phone relieved it wasn’t lost, but also feeling sick thinking I’d waited nearly 12 weeks just for it to be registered and that the actual decision wait might only just be beginning.
Then today, 21/08, completely out of nowhere, a backdated DLA payment appeared in my bank 😭😭 I still haven’t received the decision letter so obviously I’m waiting for that before saying anything is 100% confirmed, based on the amount and the dates it works out exactly as Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility, backdated from 28th May but I still need the letter just to confirm my maths🤦🏼‍♀️.
I’m honestly in shock. On Monday I thought we could still have months left to wait and now it looks like a decision had actually been made. I’ve spent the whole waiting period second guessing everything I wrote on the form and worrying that I’d explained his needs badly or missed something important, so the relief is huge.
For anyone whose claim is still waiting to be scanned or registered, I really wanted to come back and update because mine seems to have gone from being stuck in that queue to a payment landing just four days after I rang. So please don’t automatically assume that once it gets registered your whole decision wait starts again from the beginning.
I’ll update again when the actual award letter arrives and confirms everything properly. Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on this thread over the last couple of months and shared their own waits with me. It genuinely made the whole process feel a lot less lonely ❤️
And please don’t feel like because I’ve had an update now that this thread has to stop here — I really hope everyone feels comfortable carrying on using it to share their own updates, wait times, decisions, questions or just to have a little moan when the waiting gets too much 😂❤️ I started it because I wanted somewhere we could all go through the waiting together, so I’d genuinely love for people to keep updating here.
I really hope everyone still waiting gets the awards they deserve very soon 🤞🏻❤️

Ah this is great I am so pleased for you.

Mummyof2under4 · 21/08/2026 09:40

Emssxo · 21/08/2026 01:32

UPDATE – 21/08/26 😭❤️
I honestly can’t believe I’m finally updating this thread with some good news!
My youngest son’s first DLA claim was received on 28/05/26. I rang on 01/07 and was told they definitely had it but it still hadn’t been scanned onto the system. After that I just kept waiting and waiting with no acknowledgement, reference number or scan date.
Then on Monday 17/08, almost 12 weeks after they received it, I finally rang again because I was getting really worried. The man I spoke to told me the form hadn’t been lost but had been sitting in what he called a “white queue” waiting to be registered. He manually did something while I was on the phone to get it registered and told me I should receive a letter within around a week. I came off the phone relieved it wasn’t lost, but also feeling sick thinking I’d waited nearly 12 weeks just for it to be registered and that the actual decision wait might only just be beginning.
Then today, 21/08, completely out of nowhere, a backdated DLA payment appeared in my bank 😭😭 I still haven’t received the decision letter so obviously I’m waiting for that before saying anything is 100% confirmed, based on the amount and the dates it works out exactly as Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility, backdated from 28th May but I still need the letter just to confirm my maths🤦🏼‍♀️.
I’m honestly in shock. On Monday I thought we could still have months left to wait and now it looks like a decision had actually been made. I’ve spent the whole waiting period second guessing everything I wrote on the form and worrying that I’d explained his needs badly or missed something important, so the relief is huge.
For anyone whose claim is still waiting to be scanned or registered, I really wanted to come back and update because mine seems to have gone from being stuck in that queue to a payment landing just four days after I rang. So please don’t automatically assume that once it gets registered your whole decision wait starts again from the beginning.
I’ll update again when the actual award letter arrives and confirms everything properly. Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on this thread over the last couple of months and shared their own waits with me. It genuinely made the whole process feel a lot less lonely ❤️
And please don’t feel like because I’ve had an update now that this thread has to stop here — I really hope everyone feels comfortable carrying on using it to share their own updates, wait times, decisions, questions or just to have a little moan when the waiting gets too much 😂❤️ I started it because I wanted somewhere we could all go through the waiting together, so I’d genuinely love for people to keep updating here.
I really hope everyone still waiting gets the awards they deserve very soon 🤞🏻❤️

Hi! Glad you got the decision you wanted! And they prioritised your claim after all that stress with scan dates etc and not hearing anything ❤️ thank you for creating this thread x

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 09:42

I saw some comments on TikTok that the average wait time at the moment is 11 weeks- not sure how accurate that is. I am at around 8 weeks now and it isn’t with a worker yet but hopefully a few more weeks and I’ll have a decision. It gives me extra time to send in more evidence as I have a safety plan to send and I am going to ask her mental health practitioner to write a summary too

MrsW1212 · 21/08/2026 09:47

Emssxo · 21/08/2026 01:32

UPDATE – 21/08/26 😭❤️
I honestly can’t believe I’m finally updating this thread with some good news!
My youngest son’s first DLA claim was received on 28/05/26. I rang on 01/07 and was told they definitely had it but it still hadn’t been scanned onto the system. After that I just kept waiting and waiting with no acknowledgement, reference number or scan date.
Then on Monday 17/08, almost 12 weeks after they received it, I finally rang again because I was getting really worried. The man I spoke to told me the form hadn’t been lost but had been sitting in what he called a “white queue” waiting to be registered. He manually did something while I was on the phone to get it registered and told me I should receive a letter within around a week. I came off the phone relieved it wasn’t lost, but also feeling sick thinking I’d waited nearly 12 weeks just for it to be registered and that the actual decision wait might only just be beginning.
Then today, 21/08, completely out of nowhere, a backdated DLA payment appeared in my bank 😭😭 I still haven’t received the decision letter so obviously I’m waiting for that before saying anything is 100% confirmed, based on the amount and the dates it works out exactly as Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility, backdated from 28th May but I still need the letter just to confirm my maths🤦🏼‍♀️.
I’m honestly in shock. On Monday I thought we could still have months left to wait and now it looks like a decision had actually been made. I’ve spent the whole waiting period second guessing everything I wrote on the form and worrying that I’d explained his needs badly or missed something important, so the relief is huge.
For anyone whose claim is still waiting to be scanned or registered, I really wanted to come back and update because mine seems to have gone from being stuck in that queue to a payment landing just four days after I rang. So please don’t automatically assume that once it gets registered your whole decision wait starts again from the beginning.
I’ll update again when the actual award letter arrives and confirms everything properly. Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on this thread over the last couple of months and shared their own waits with me. It genuinely made the whole process feel a lot less lonely ❤️
And please don’t feel like because I’ve had an update now that this thread has to stop here — I really hope everyone feels comfortable carrying on using it to share their own updates, wait times, decisions, questions or just to have a little moan when the waiting gets too much 😂❤️ I started it because I wanted somewhere we could all go through the waiting together, so I’d genuinely love for people to keep updating here.
I really hope everyone still waiting gets the awards they deserve very soon 🤞🏻❤️

Aww this is fantastic news. I’m so pleased for you. You finally got what you’ve been waiting for for so long. Lots of love to you 🥰 x

MrsW1212 · 21/08/2026 09:48

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 09:42

I saw some comments on TikTok that the average wait time at the moment is 11 weeks- not sure how accurate that is. I am at around 8 weeks now and it isn’t with a worker yet but hopefully a few more weeks and I’ll have a decision. It gives me extra time to send in more evidence as I have a safety plan to send and I am going to ask her mental health practitioner to write a summary too

Oooh I’ll call the GP and get the autism referral started then. I can then send that as evidence too x

CoralSnake · 21/08/2026 10:45

So confusing I called the dla back today after missing the call, the first lady transferred me to another place as they needed an answer to a question however the phone line cut off, when iv rang back I had another operator who I told the exact same thing to who said a decision was made yesterday? So confused

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 10:47

Called this morning my decision was made yesterday 20th but they wouldn't tell me anything apart from letter in post so think my sons claim has been declined which I'm really upset about

Smeb123 · 21/08/2026 10:49

Emssxo · 21/08/2026 01:32

UPDATE – 21/08/26 😭❤️
I honestly can’t believe I’m finally updating this thread with some good news!
My youngest son’s first DLA claim was received on 28/05/26. I rang on 01/07 and was told they definitely had it but it still hadn’t been scanned onto the system. After that I just kept waiting and waiting with no acknowledgement, reference number or scan date.
Then on Monday 17/08, almost 12 weeks after they received it, I finally rang again because I was getting really worried. The man I spoke to told me the form hadn’t been lost but had been sitting in what he called a “white queue” waiting to be registered. He manually did something while I was on the phone to get it registered and told me I should receive a letter within around a week. I came off the phone relieved it wasn’t lost, but also feeling sick thinking I’d waited nearly 12 weeks just for it to be registered and that the actual decision wait might only just be beginning.
Then today, 21/08, completely out of nowhere, a backdated DLA payment appeared in my bank 😭😭 I still haven’t received the decision letter so obviously I’m waiting for that before saying anything is 100% confirmed, based on the amount and the dates it works out exactly as Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility, backdated from 28th May but I still need the letter just to confirm my maths🤦🏼‍♀️.
I’m honestly in shock. On Monday I thought we could still have months left to wait and now it looks like a decision had actually been made. I’ve spent the whole waiting period second guessing everything I wrote on the form and worrying that I’d explained his needs badly or missed something important, so the relief is huge.
For anyone whose claim is still waiting to be scanned or registered, I really wanted to come back and update because mine seems to have gone from being stuck in that queue to a payment landing just four days after I rang. So please don’t automatically assume that once it gets registered your whole decision wait starts again from the beginning.
I’ll update again when the actual award letter arrives and confirms everything properly. Thank you so much to everyone who has commented on this thread over the last couple of months and shared their own waits with me. It genuinely made the whole process feel a lot less lonely ❤️
And please don’t feel like because I’ve had an update now that this thread has to stop here — I really hope everyone feels comfortable carrying on using it to share their own updates, wait times, decisions, questions or just to have a little moan when the waiting gets too much 😂❤️ I started it because I wanted somewhere we could all go through the waiting together, so I’d genuinely love for people to keep updating here.
I really hope everyone still waiting gets the awards they deserve very soon 🤞🏻❤️

Aw I’m so pleased - it was exactly the situation I was in, so hopefully it won’t be much longer for my decision to come through.

Leannelln · 21/08/2026 11:22

ring back and ask someone else they will tell you

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 11:27

Leannelln · 21/08/2026 11:22

ring back and ask someone else they will tell you

Tried and he different person on phone wouldn't tell me anything he actually said the person before but a note to say I called and they told me letter in post. I asked him few times could he not just tell me if accept or rejected and he said no. All I can see if it was accept money will be on back by Wednesday so to look out for that so I'm really not hopeful

Leannelln · 21/08/2026 11:47

Sounds hopefully I say x

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 11:50

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 10:47

Called this morning my decision was made yesterday 20th but they wouldn't tell me anything apart from letter in post so think my sons claim has been declined which I'm really upset about

When did you send the form off? Fingers crossed for you

Leannelln · 21/08/2026 12:23

My scan date was 30th June and just called and it's with a named case manager now so hopefully not long

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 12:43

NewBlueOP · 21/08/2026 11:50

When did you send the form off? Fingers crossed for you

Show quote history

My scan date was 29th June

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 12:44

Leannelln · 21/08/2026 12:23

My scan date was 30th June and just called and it's with a named case manager now so hopefully not long

Fingers crossed for you

Leahjk1991 · 21/08/2026 12:45

I see a few people have said they got a text with the acceptance decision if this something everyone gets?