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. ❤️

That’s good news! I’m glad you got a good outcome xx

Hi, my SD was 4th August for a renewal, just wondering if anyone has had a decision yet from similar dates? Called this morning and she said due to a system update she is unable to tell me what is happening with the claim. Thanks.

Congratulations to everyone who has been awarded recently, Greta news 🎉
Good luck to those still waiting - my SD 23rd July - still in qué when I last called, feels like it will be weeks before a decision 😫
How long do claims ait in a queue for?
Thanks 😊

Well done to those who have been successful and have heard something. I havent called. Cant bring myself to do it today. Im so negative and anxious. Scan date 7th July so shouldn't be long but feeling its not good x

Scan date 22nd July so one day ahead! It depends on the decision maker and how quick the work, if they’re off on leave or sick etc to how long it’s in the queue so it’s very variable. Was it in the queue for a decision maker or case worker? X

I think when it’s been so long it’s easy to start second guessing yourself and forgetting what you wrote, if you wrote enough etc. hopefully you’ll hear soon x

For a DM - she said in the phone a coupler of weeks back when I first called that it has been registered and now in a queue for a DM to pick up xx

Awww I’m glad you’ve been awarded. Mine have only ever got 2 years. That’s explains why with the diagnosis. 2 have a diagnosis now, so wondering if it’s worth sending that off c

NC, SD- 14/07/26, called today for an update (only a 12 mins wait) and Im still in a queue for the DM! This is taking forever :(

Any coc done with scan dates in July? My coc was scanned 16th July just wondering if we may be close to a decision yet. The wait is playing on my mind. . .

Hopefully we hear soon 🤞🏻 the wait is agony lol! X

It really is 😭 when I first posted my childs claim it looked like most people in may/june were waiting 6 weeks but it seems to have gone up, I thought my child would get a decision this week going of June claims but seems we have a bit longer to wait😫🤣 xx

My friend had a scan date of the 12th of May and received payment the 16th of June!! 🥲 unfortunately we don’t seem to be that lucky 😭 xx

No we aren't, I feel like we've still got a few more weeks to go😔 they really should invest in an online system for tracking claims it would save us and them time/stress! Xx

It isn’t 100% confirmed but he was sure about the middle rate care and just deciding about mobility. He said to send in the diagnosis if she gets it, maybe worth ringing to ask about yours? He said with a diagnosis the award can be longer. I felt really emotional on the call but tbh he was so nice.

Just thought I’d update:
New claim scan date 30/7. I called 28/8 and was told it was with a caseworker to be fully registered. Called again today and they’ve confirmed it was fully registered on 2/9 and is now waiting to be picked up by a caseworker who will make the decision. Confirmation letter hasn’t arrived yet I should receive it soon.
Seems worth asking specifically whether your claim has been fully registered and is waiting for a decision, as I’ve been given different amounts of information depending who I’ve spoken to! x

hey I’ve been watching this feed for a few weeks and today I rang to see if any update

had an awful lady who pretty much said don’t ring they will contact me when it’s done with a decision

SD 13th July

I’m sorry you had that experience. Some should be more understanding that parents rely on this decision for a lot of things for their children as raising additional needs children comes with such an extra cost. X

All I was asking was it actually registered after seeing other posts etc on here

and she just kept talking over me saying the same thing ‘ they will contact me and they have loads of new claims’

Oh no sorry to hear this. Did you go through option four? x

Yes option 4

maybe she was having a bad day

did think I’d hear by today as a lot was being done around the 8 week mark

Thank you honey. I’m so glad your wait is pretty much over. You’ve really been through it x

Probably was just having a bad day, guess it’s just luck who picks up the phone.
Have you received your letter with your reference number on? x

Yes I’ve had a text and a letter

Might be worth trying again to talk with someone different. I didn’t have a letter, just the text and was told it was because it wasn’t fully registered. I wouldn’t want to tell you yours definitely is registered, as I don’t know that 🤞for you it’s with a DM x