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. ❤️

Aww thank you! I was nervous calling too, but so glad I did! X

@Dream133youre a similar timeframe as me really. I think I got the text to say they’ve received it on the 29th July and then a letter dated the 6th August asking for my daughter’s birth certificate. I’d sent it off for her passport and never received it back. I ordered a new one but I rang to let DLA that there would be a delay in waiting and he verified her by using child benefit claim. He said at the time it’s now verified and waiting for a caseworker. Spoke to someone again last week who said it’s now in the queue for the decision maker but could still take a long time . So I think my scan date is the 6th August. Reading what people have been saying this week it seems they are on the first week of July ( roughly ) so may still be another 4 weeks or so. X

hi been watching to for a while, I received txt on 1st July to say they had recieved it, would this be my scan date? I decided I would ring today and they advised me it's with a case worker, when should I expect to hear a outcome

I had a text the same day as you. Mine is with a DM as they tried to call for more info but as we’re on holiday it wasn’t really appropriate to talk (we were about to board a train) he said he would call back this Tuesday and never did 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ so I am still waiting. It shouldn’t be long for you ☺️

Hoping for a lovely end of the week for all of you. I was scared of calling. I have adhd and I overthink. But I also thought that calling isn’t going to change the outcome, but it may reduce your waiting time. Plus we are never going to meet the call handlers, so as long as we are polite, they won’t mind if we call x

new claim update.
Scan date was 08/07 and I’ve received a payment today.
hopefully anyone with the same date won’t be waiting too much longer 🤞🏼

Fab news congratulations! Hope you got the award you wanted and what your child deserves!🥰

Yay! That’s great news! X

I done a MR over the phone 2 days ago let's see how long will take

That’s fab what rates did you get ?

My sons renewal was scanned 7 July I’m still waiting to hear hopefully we won’t be waiting long xxx

New claim, scan date 7th july. Did ask for birth certificate after about a week and that came back about 3 4 weeks ago. Was following and can see people with dates very close to mine already had payment\text to confirm acceptance...I haven't had anything so scared it's been declined. Will be heartbroken. Does the payment go in at anytime or overnight? And do texts come anytime....I feel like my head is all over the place

I’m honestly not sure. Chat gpt suggests middle rate care and low rate mobility but I haven’t had the letter yet.
just relieved it’s over as the waiting was making me so anxious.
hope you hear soon if you haven’t heard yet.

Update New Claim.
Scan Date 16 July.
Just called up to check if the got receipt for proof of postage, The man said the file was active been looked at by Decision Maker and it should be much long.
So hopefully I will hear soon. 🤞

Hi Ladies! So no news yet on my claim however we got awarded a Merlin access card today for my daughter! Which is positive. However I’m wondering if it’s worth sending a photo copy of the card when it comes to the dla for additional evidence? X

Scan date 6/8 rang yesterday and was told that it’s still in cue. I was told last week it was with a decision maker, they defo just tell us what we want to hear!

great news! Maybe call on Monday to see if a decision has been made? I know they work weekends as well so fingers crossed you’ll have a decision soon

Thank you. I will keep you updated. ❤️🤞

My scan date was 08/07 and I’ve just spoke to an
advisor who said mine is still waiting to be looked at (blagged I had new evidence) so I feel a bit better. I was worried seeing others around the same date but not recieving a text or any pending payments x

Oh bless you its so disheartening mine is 07/07 and me too no texts, no payments either absolutely stressing il get the refused letter. I lose sleep over this... im too scared to ring though so havent. All the best to you....keep us updated :)

Hi, my scan date is 10/07.. and im 8 weeks exactly today. So worried about a rejection letter too. Every time ive called up I get told different things, so I am not calling anymore.
It feels worse and worse , the worry, when people are getting news that have more recent scan dates. I keep saying ill forget about it, what will be will be, but it is definitely consuming me. I hope we get good news soon 🙏

There are loads of people on Facebook dla page, saying they are still waiting (nc) since beginning of June! We could still have months 😫😫

Thank you! The wait is horrible isn’t it 😩 same to you, hopefully we hear something next week xxx

Fingers crossed for us both and anyone else waiting its really horrible waiting its on my mind everyday then the weekend comes ans you know you ain't going to hear anything :(

Yes I did look earlier at that. I do wonder why some are still waiting and some are done. I get maybe they are waiting from responses from GP or nursery/school etc. But still is so hard seeing others get the money/acceptance and some waiting which does make you think its not been accepted. I think they say if you get the letter first its a no as more often than not the money always comes first but this is new to me.but everyone says the same