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

DLA WAIT TIMES 2026

1000 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:
12feb2020 · 02/09/2026 12:01

AlertSloth · 02/09/2026 11:16

Hello
I am on my 7th week of waiting got a text 17th July to say recieved.
I call yesterday and the lady on the phone said it hadn't be registered and she done it while I waited. She said it is now in the que for the decision Maker.

Hello. All of the waiting is nerve wracking isn’t it! I’ve just called and it was scanned and registered on the 10th July. The lady said it’s still processing and is waiting for a case manager to put it into a DM que so sounds like I’m so far away🫠 hopefully won’t be long and you’ll have good news x

AlertSloth · 02/09/2026 12:07

12feb2020 · 02/09/2026 12:01

Hello. All of the waiting is nerve wracking isn’t it! I’ve just called and it was scanned and registered on the 10th July. The lady said it’s still processing and is waiting for a case manager to put it into a DM que so sounds like I’m so far away🫠 hopefully won’t be long and you’ll have good news x

Yes the waiting is so stressful 😫
I follow a group on facebook, lots of people have had payments for scan dates around first week of July. So am hoping we wont be waiting much longer.

I wont even aware I could claim and my son is now 13 so hoping for a positive outcome. Good luck. 🤞🤞

Lynseyxx · 02/09/2026 12:24

AlertSloth · 02/09/2026 11:16

Hello
I am on my 7th week of waiting got a text 17th July to say recieved.
I call yesterday and the lady on the phone said it hadn't be registered and she done it while I waited. She said it is now in the que for the decision Maker.

Have you had a letter to say recieved? I got the text 6/8. But they only sent the letter the 26/8, I've always thought once it's scanned onto system you get the letter. X

AlertSloth · 02/09/2026 12:29

Lynseyxx · 02/09/2026 12:24

Have you had a letter to say recieved? I got the text 6/8. But they only sent the letter the 26/8, I've always thought once it's scanned onto system you get the letter. X

I had a text 17th july.
Then a letter 21st July to say they had received my claim 16th july and could take 25 weeks.

It so confusing and stressful. 😫

Lynseyxx · 02/09/2026 12:35

AlertSloth · 02/09/2026 12:29

I had a text 17th july.
Then a letter 21st July to say they had received my claim 16th july and could take 25 weeks.

It so confusing and stressful. 😫

Oh, they told me mine was in a cue now for decision. I'm going to ring today and make sure it's been scanned on. Xx

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 12:56

Good luck everyone x

Leannelln · 02/09/2026 13:16

I've just done a MR over the phone does anyone know how long this is taking

Friends94 · 02/09/2026 13:37

How often are people calling for an update? 🙈It's so hard, last week they said in a queue waiting to be picked up by DM 😬

Good luck all!!

NewBlueOP · 02/09/2026 13:50

Leannelln · 02/09/2026 13:16

I've just done a MR over the phone does anyone know how long this is taking

I’ve heard it takes up to 9 months as they are backlogged

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 14:03

Friends94 · 02/09/2026 13:37

How often are people calling for an update? 🙈It's so hard, last week they said in a queue waiting to be picked up by DM 😬

Good luck all!!

I call mo more than once a week. I’ll will call on Friday though if I’ve heard nothing, as I don’t think I can do another weekend in the dark 🤣

Friends94 · 02/09/2026 14:11

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 14:03

I call mo more than once a week. I’ll will call on Friday though if I’ve heard nothing, as I don’t think I can do another weekend in the dark 🤣

Are they ok with us calling once a week? I might call tomorrow or Friday then it's been a week since I last called🤣

I don't blame you, I would do the same, espetas others are getting theirs from the same time!

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 14:13

I’ve not actually called for an update until today. The first time was seeing if I could send extra evidence, then to see if I could get a text, then today for an update as I’m noticing that 8 weeks seems to be the average wait time x

MyBoysMyEverything · 02/09/2026 14:19

I've just called them and the lady said it was waiting to be assigned to a DM so I guess we still have a few more weeks to go!
Will be 8 wks on Friday

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 15:24

I literally just got my text to say we’ve been awarded!! 🥳

Leannelln · 02/09/2026 15:25

Brilliant news

Mumto4and5 · 02/09/2026 15:27

@MrsW1212 that’s amazing news. Hope you’re happy with the rate etc x

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 15:30

Thank you. I don’t know the rate, but I’m happy with anything! I will call to find out though! X

Emz73 · 02/09/2026 15:44

12feb2020 · 02/09/2026 10:56

Thank you so much for explaining. I tried to google some of my questions but it was all contradictory and ended up confusing me even more 😩 I’ll try to give them a call once my youngest is napping to find out if it’s been registered etc. I know they say 25 weeks waiting times but I’m only approaching week 8 since they’ve received it and I’m stressing I’ve not put enough or explained her needs as much so the next couple of months I’ll be an anxious wreck waiting for a decision 😩x

No worries. It does seem to be how quick it’s fully registered. My youngest was a couple of days then it was a total of 4 weeks for a decision. This one is taking a bit longer x

Friends94 · 02/09/2026 15:54

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 15:24

I literally just got my text to say we’ve been awarded!! 🥳

That's amazing!! So happy for you guys - congratulations 🎉 💚

mammyoflilyandluca · 02/09/2026 15:56

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 15:24

I literally just got my text to say we’ve been awarded!! 🥳

What was your scan date lovely? Congrats on you award!!

Lifeisendlessx · 02/09/2026 16:17

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 15:24

I literally just got my text to say we’ve been awarded!! 🥳

Great news!! And you don’t have to call anymore and stop worrying ♥️ when was your scan date?

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 16:48

Thank you all and good luck to the rest of you. I’ll keep an eye out for your updates. It all feels a bit surreal at the moment! My text alert went and I had a feeling, but still wasn’t expecting it! SD 8th July. NC. Been awarded MRC for 2 years x

SparklyGreyOP · 02/09/2026 17:13

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 16:48

Thank you all and good luck to the rest of you. I’ll keep an eye out for your updates. It all feels a bit surreal at the moment! My text alert went and I had a feeling, but still wasn’t expecting it! SD 8th July. NC. Been awarded MRC for 2 years x

Fantastic news, so happy ur waiting is finally over

NewBlueOP · 02/09/2026 17:54

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 16:48

Thank you all and good luck to the rest of you. I’ll keep an eye out for your updates. It all feels a bit surreal at the moment! My text alert went and I had a feeling, but still wasn’t expecting it! SD 8th July. NC. Been awarded MRC for 2 years x

I’m really pleased for you xxx

Mummyof2under4 · 02/09/2026 18:20

MrsW1212 · 02/09/2026 16:48

Thank you all and good luck to the rest of you. I’ll keep an eye out for your updates. It all feels a bit surreal at the moment! My text alert went and I had a feeling, but still wasn’t expecting it! SD 8th July. NC. Been awarded MRC for 2 years x

I’m so happy for you! ❤️ always nerve wracking when they’re little but amazing outcome x

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