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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

DLA WAIT TIMES 2026

577 replies

Emssxo · 06/06/2026 22:14

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. ❤️

OP posts:
MrsW1212 · 24/08/2026 09:17

Leahjk1991 · 24/08/2026 09:14

I come with good news! Called this morning and actually a lovely lady told me
is award! His been award MRC until July 2028! So pleased with this I did think he was looking more towards the HRC but I'm just happy his been awarded and now his money can be put away to be used to support his needs and future. Fingers crossed everyone gets news this week

That’s amazing!!! I’m so pleased!! What was your scan date again? X

Leannelln · 24/08/2026 09:26

Called and still no update x

MrsW1212 · 24/08/2026 09:33

Leannelln · 24/08/2026 09:26

Called and still no update x

Nooooooo 😩. Maybe he’ll be today x

Leahjk1991 · 24/08/2026 09:46

MrsW1212 · 24/08/2026 09:17

That’s amazing!!! I’m so pleased!! What was your scan date again? X

29th June x

MrsW1212 · 24/08/2026 09:48

Leahjk1991 · 24/08/2026 09:46

29th June x

I’m just over a week behind you. I’m worried I won’t be awarded though as my little one is only 2 (3 in November) x

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 09:49

Leahjk1991 · 24/08/2026 09:14

I come with good news! Called this morning and actually a lovely lady told me
is award! His been award MRC until July 2028! So pleased with this I did think he was looking more towards the HRC but I'm just happy his been awarded and now his money can be put away to be used to support his needs and future. Fingers crossed everyone gets news this week

aww amazing! It’s lovely to hear when they’ve actually awarded it to the right people! ❤️

Leannelln · 24/08/2026 10:20

My scan date was the 30th so hoping this week x

NewBlueOP · 24/08/2026 10:43

Leahjk1991 · 24/08/2026 09:14

I come with good news! Called this morning and actually a lovely lady told me
is award! His been award MRC until July 2028! So pleased with this I did think he was looking more towards the HRC but I'm just happy his been awarded and now his money can be put away to be used to support his needs and future. Fingers crossed everyone gets news this week

Fab news ! Mine will be 8 weeks on Wednesday so hopefully we will also hear soon, I sent additional evidence today - next day signed for delivery- not sure if it will make a difference !

NewBlueOP · 24/08/2026 10:43

Leannelln · 24/08/2026 10:20

My scan date was the 30th so hoping this week x

Mine was 01-07 so hopefully we will both hear soon, maybe this week? Are you going to call ?

MrsW1212 · 24/08/2026 10:45

Good luck to those still waiting! X

Amyd35 · 24/08/2026 11:42

Happy people are getting responses fast although can't lie gutted I'm still waiting from the 10th of June 😫

Hopeing · 24/08/2026 11:47

Hopeing · 12/08/2026 15:50

Have you heard yet x

Have you heard back yet x

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 11:51

Amyd35 · 24/08/2026 11:42

Happy people are getting responses fast although can't lie gutted I'm still waiting from the 10th of June 😫

I have a feeling it’s area dependent! Have you called? X

Hopeing · 24/08/2026 11:51

Is this a new claim x

Amyd35 · 24/08/2026 11:55

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 11:51

I have a feeling it’s area dependent! Have you called? X

Yes I usually call once a week but it puts me in a bad mood now! I was told with a decision maker then no it's a case manager then told no ones looked at it yet X

Amyd35 · 24/08/2026 11:55

Yes I usually call once a week but it puts me in a bad mood now! I was told with a decision maker then no it's a case manager then told no ones looked at it yet X

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 11:56

Amyd35 · 24/08/2026 11:55

Yes I usually call once a week but it puts me in a bad mood now! I was told with a decision maker then no it's a case manager then told no ones looked at it yet X

Honestly sometimes I think they say whatever to get people off the phone. Hopefully you hear soon 🤞🏻 x

Hopeing · 24/08/2026 11:59

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 11:56

Honestly sometimes I think they say whatever to get people off the phone. Hopefully you hear soon 🤞🏻 x

I'm waiting on a coc I phoned and they say different things I heard they work weekends as well don't understand what takes so long x

Hopeing · 24/08/2026 12:01

Hi
Has anyone heard from a coc from June the waiting is the worst anyone any dates in June yet xx

prettyfly7 · 24/08/2026 12:15

I’m still waiting - new claim, scan date 15th June. I rang last week and was told it’s been registered and waiting a case manager.

Super happy to see everyone is being sorted also but it’s very frustrating that some people were scanned over two weeks after ours.
hopefully we will be sorted this week!

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 12:18

prettyfly7 · 24/08/2026 12:15

I’m still waiting - new claim, scan date 15th June. I rang last week and was told it’s been registered and waiting a case manager.

Super happy to see everyone is being sorted also but it’s very frustrating that some people were scanned over two weeks after ours.
hopefully we will be sorted this week!

What area are you in? I am definitely slowly becoming convinced it goes by area, as once the documents are scanned at the same processing centre they become electronically available to centres around the UK and it depends which one it’s gone to x

prettyfly7 · 24/08/2026 12:20

Im North Wales but the return envelope had Wolverhampton address. I read online that’s one of the busiest centres serving all of the midlands but if it becomes electronic then that shouldn’t make much difference.
where abouts are you?

Mummyof2under4 · 24/08/2026 12:22

prettyfly7 · 24/08/2026 12:20

Im North Wales but the return envelope had Wolverhampton address. I read online that’s one of the busiest centres serving all of the midlands but if it becomes electronic then that shouldn’t make much difference.
where abouts are you?

Yeah so what I’ve kind of worked out as that everyone sends their documents to the same centre but there are case managers in offices around the UK if that is making sense lol! I might be wrong however but that’s kind of what I’m assuming. I’m in South Wales actually lol about 40-50 minutes from Bristol x

prettyfly7 · 24/08/2026 12:25

Fingers crossed we get seen to soon. I don’t really want to call up again as I’ve heard of people having notes put on about ringing for updates and being spoken to rudely. Not sure I fancy that!

JAZ44004 · 24/08/2026 12:31

Update from me:

Post date: 23/7/26
Text received to say they had received it: 28/7/26
Wait time given: Within 25 weeks
Letter to say they are looking at it: 15/08/26 received 22/08/26