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. ❤️

I think it depends on the decision maker. I sent loads of information from different professionals and her teacher. The decision maker is calling me to ask more questions. I am on week 9 of waiting now, I know others have heard back sooner than me. I think the max is 25 weeks but hopefully it will be quicker for you

My scan date is 22nd of July! What’s yours? Hopefully not long for us at all now! Xx

Mines the 17th! So it was 7 weeks on Friday! I’m debating ringing for an update tomorrow as I’ve seen a couple 15th/16th done and it’s making me nervy🤣 if I do call up I’ll come back and update x

Ahh let me know! I got a nimbus access pass for my daughter so I’ve been debating and phoning to see if there’s time for me to photocopy it and send it off as additional evidence! X

I would definitely phone beforehand as your case may already be with a decision maker already lovely with them working quite fast through them x

Yeah I think I will tomorrow or Tuesday when I have an hour to sit on hold lol! Let me know how you get on xx

It’s my sons tester day at nursery tomorrow between 9-10 so I intend to use my hour of freedom to call up first thing I think🤣 I’ll let you know wether mines done or not when I know x

Aww good luck to your lo! I’m sure he will love it!🥹 My daughter is still in playgroup till April and then she goes into nursery on an early start! My neurotypical son just started reception last week and had his first staggered day, starts properly tomorrow! Good luck! Xx

He had a couple of tester days before the summer holidays and he cried leaving🤣 this will be his last tester before he starts full days on Wednesday! My daughter (who we’re trying to re claim for) is in year 2 so I’m going to be very bored🥲 my fiance works as an on call mechanic/recovery driver through the night so I’m going to be by myself all day while the kids are at school and partner is asleep after work, I hope I get a decision soon otherwise I might go stir crazy with all my free time to think about it😵‍💫x

Oh love him! He’s going to love it. My son met some lovely little friends in nursery he’s gone into reception with now🥹. And I bet! It’s a nice bit of freedom away from being a mum though! When my daughters gone to playgroup and my sons was in school the house was sooo quiet 🤣. Hopefully you hear soon! X

I called this morning at 9am and was only waiting ten mins!

How did you get on? Im on the line now, waiting... scan date 10th July.

I called today because the man told me it was being actively looked at by a decision maker on Friday.
The man today said its still in the QUE for a case worker. So now I have no Idea what's going on.
The wait is killing me. 😩
Scan date 16th July.

Thats crazy! Ive had mixed answers when ive called too. Im still in the queue, 27 minutes in, the music is driving me mad! 😅

The music. 🤯🤣 I waited about 20 mins
I hope you get a good answer from them. 😁

Got through, still in a queue to be looked at by a case manager...
Im just past 8 weeks now.

Hey guys, I rang today and my scan date was the 13th July but it wasn’t registered. I’ve had to call and register it, it has been sent to a DM now but they said I sent paperwork after the claim form which was an ENT diagnosis she was given and how she needs surgery. They said this was sent on the 30th July so they didn’t know what to do. So looks like I’ve called and fixed that and now it’s registered.

anyone had anything similar as I’m just abit confused. Thank you

Have you received the letter confirming they’ve registered your claim yet? Just wondering whether they mean you’re still waiting for it to be registered or whether you’re registered and now waiting for a decision maker x

I double checked on the call about if it was registered or not, she said it was registered on July 10th, and its just waiting for a decision maker. And also there is a note to text me the outcome, im so hoping it wont be much longer as its consuming me daily lol

I did receive a letter a few days after sending forms saying, they have received the forms, and they dated it July 10th...

Thanks, that makes sense. Mine was scanned 30th July but when I called on 28th August it was still with a caseworker to be fully registered, so I was trying to work out whether they meant the same thing with yours. Hopefully you won’t be waiting much longer 🤞 x

He has said she will be awarded middle rate care and he is deciding about mobility - I am sending her safety plan from school and he will decide after looking at this. She doesn’t qualify for high rate as her night time needs are not consistent - some night she’s ok.

He said it would be a two year award due to her not having a diagnosis yet - she is waiting for an assessment.

I’m glad you got a decision and I hope it’s what you wanted! What was your scan date again? Xx

01-07 he said it will be backdated to a date in may when I rang for the forms.