DLA WAIT TIMES 2026

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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. ❤️

Yes, the letter does come after payment. I dread the post now. I asked for my result to be sent via text, and she said its down to the decision maker if they text or not. It says online they dont work weekends, I dont know if this is true? But if so, another weekend to wonder 😩

The wait is so stressful. Surely with all the technology available they could have a digital tracker. Just to say where your application is upto. This extra money is a life line for families with a child with extra needs.
I feel like am checking here or facebook for any glimmer of hope.

🤞🤞🤞 fingers crossed for anyone waiting our time will come soon hopefully. ❤️💙

Can I ask what group you’re on on Facebook please? I tried to join one but I can’t see any comments on any of the posts even though I’ve been approved 😩x

DLA Support Group, the profile pic is of field with little bear on the left.
I tried to add picture to this post but not sure how to.

It is really good group, at the top it has a feature section on it is pinned posts.
On 1st of every month they do a post so people can comment Scan date, Awards ect I have found it really helpful.

Thank you so much! I’ve just found it and requested to join. All of this waiting is making me crazy, it’s so nice to know I’m not the only person checking this page and Facebook groups for some updates 🫣😂x

You are definitely not on your own 😁 The waiting is horrific. 😩
I hope we all get the outcome we deserve and fast. 🤣🤣

I agree with you all....the wait is awful no one is alone. The stress anxiety and worry is awful. I keep stressing every time my ring doorbell tell me.there is motion at the front door scared its.going to be the postman. How ridiculous lol....fingers.crossed for all of us for positive results and a quick response too x

Update!

New claim, sent the forms back June 22nd. Text received July 6th, then I didn't hear anything more. No letter.

Phoned them on Thursday because I was getting worried and a lovely man named Bob told me it was done. Despite the text date being July 6th, the award is from July 8th so that must be when it was registered and it took 8 weeks from then. She's been awarded MRC and LRM and the back payment came through yesterday.

I cried at Bob 😳. Sorry Bob.

Now I'm just waiting for my son's. His forms were sent August 7th I think. I received a text on August 14th, and then a letter dated August 19th that confirmed receipt on August 14th, so I'll call around October 9th if I haven't heard anything by then.

I'm not sure where my daughter's forms went in the end but my son's have gone to Wolverhampton.

Good luck everyone. I was really worried as I hadn't heard anything at all with my daughter but it all worked out ok in the end.

And just to note: if you receive universal credit don't forget to claim for the additional element of that as well if your child's DLA claim is successful. They're also meant to back date it to the date the claim starts from.

Oh wow thats so amazing!! Congratulations. My scan date the 7th so praying i hear soon I havent called at all as so nervous. So happy you've got good news. Did the money go in today on a Saturday? That's so great. Makes me worry about mine even more now though

Sorry you did say yesterday for the payment... my error.

This is great news! Congratulations x

Aww that’s brilliant news congratulations

Congratulations. 😁👏😁

If you do call the last option instead of picking 2 pick option 4. I found these to be very helpful. I have had to call twice and both times they have been really helpful.
I hope you here this week tho. 😁

Okay lovely thank you I want to ring on Monday if I feel brave enough. Option 4 i will select. What sort of thing did you ask once yoy got through, did you just ask where they were at in the process of your claim? I want to ask politely but not seem pushy x

Hi all,

been a silent reader but just wanted to provide some info if it helps anyone around the same date. NC sent off on 2nd July, text to say received on the 6th July. Payment showing in my bank on the 3rd September. Not received letter in post yet but I expect sometime next week it will arrive.

incase it helps :)

I just explained I hadn't heard since I got the text and wanted to know where about my application was upto. The man explained it was beening look at and said it would be much longer. I didnt push for anything else. I your upto it I would give them a call on Monday. I waited around 20 mins for someone to answer.

What time of day is best to call? I need to call Monday morning wondering if early is better?

I called around 10:30, chose option 4 (thanks so much to this thread for that advice!) and was through in around 20 minutes.

Congratulations on your positive news

Morning all.

I applied for my daughters DLA by post on Monday last week, and I got a text on Friday confirming they had recieved it. I sent her diagnosis letter. The reasonable adjustments letter that the consultant sent to the school, a letter from the school listing her daily interventions, her medicatiin titration letter and the care plan I have for co-parenting. She has a diagnosis of Severe combined ADHD, behavioural defiance, delayed sleep onset and anxiety.

The text stated I would have a decision within 25 weeks but, this seems like such a long time. Has anybody else made an application similar to mine and heard back sooner?

Morning! It can really vary but the stats published from March 2026 I believe quote that 91% of claims were cleared in 45 working days if that helps. They are getting faster but I’d prepare for around a 6-10 week wait. It can also depend if they reach out to the school, medical professionals etc. hope this helps! I’m on week 7 of waiting this week coming ☺️ x

Morning,

Thank you, that is more encouraging! I wonder if there is a need to reach out if the information from the people who support her has already been included?

From people I know, it’s not often they do, only if they need more information than what’s been wrote I guess. I submitted a peads assessment, a salt report, an audiology letter, early support wrote something for me for my daughter and I submitted the health visitor Soggs assessment from 15 months old and wrote around 15 pages of why and where my daughter needs extra care, however she is 2 so it’s harder to get. My friends scan date was the 13th of May and she had the money in her account on the 16th of June so really fast turnaround! But it comes down to which decision makers desk it lands on, if they have annual leave, off sick etc! Hopefully yours is a straightforward claim and you hear soon! Xx

I’m also on week 7 waiting as of Friday gone! I hope you get your decision soon! I’ve seen people getting them around/before 8 weeks so hopefully not much longer! What’s your scan date x