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. ❤️

Thanks lovely this page has been a god send. No one talks about this kind of stuff. I said to the DM, I felt really in the unknown, I’m so glad he was friendly, I think I would of cried if I’d had someone mean 🤣

What’s your scan date again? I’ve seen many comments on Facebook group that people with scan dates 6/7-8/7 go their decisions recently

i rang today, they txt on 1st July to say they had got it, was scanned 7th July and I rang last Thursday they said it's with a decision maker and today said it's in a que. what a draining process, good luck to you all x

Did they tell you when it was registered?
It’s scanned first into one system, then goes to a caseworker to fully register into another. Once registered, it goes into the decision maker queue x

It honestly doesn’t give you much hope, I phoned around a week and a half ago as although I sent a lot of “evidence” I now have some more the lady I spoke to said its waiting to be picked up by a DM so i said I won’t send it as it won’t reach you in time and she agreed, the lady I spoke to today said it’s in a queue and to send the additional evidence. Scan date was the 10/07.

Odd question
do you get the text with the first scan?

And the letter with the next scan or once with case worker?

then case worker then to dm

I got a text on the 28th July to say my forms had been received . A letter dated the 6th August to say they needed my daughter’s birth certificate, so I was told 6th August is my scan date. Still waiting for a decision and was told it’s in a queue for the DM.

So you get the “we’ve received your claim” text when it’s been scanned into the first system. Then when the caseworker has fully registered it onto the second system the confirmation letter is generated with your reference number, and if they need something like a birth certificate you get that too but in a separate letter. You don’t get anything to say it’s in the decision maker queue, so unless you ring you wouldn’t know. That’s how it was explained to me x

So I assume once you get the letter, it then goes to a case worker queue once the birth certificate is received and then goes to a decision maker queue? X

Thank you

so can it be with a case worker for a while? They haven’t asked for anything and I’ve had the letter since middle July?

That’s how I understood it, except I don’t know if there’s actually another caseworker queue after the birth certificate. I think they need whatever evidence they’ve requested to finish the registration, then once it’s fully registered it can go into the DM queue. That’s why I’d ask them specifically what date it was fully registered x

That’s ok. I think it varies which, is why we see all different scan dates, some processed quicker than others. My scan date was 30/7 but it’s only been registered since 2/9. On my other child’s claim it was a lot faster and it only took a month for a decision x

I was told to send the additional evidence twice - even now the DM is making a decision this week he still recommends sending more in as it can impact his decision.

I am going to send it tomorrow, but it would be nice if we all got the same advice from different advisors. 😭

I know, it seems to be so different for everyone

My Scan date 16th july.
Friday with decision maker, today in the que. 🤯 Looks like am in same boat as you. 😕

I sent forms 30/07 (but didn't call so will go from scan date)..my scan date is 03/08, that's when I got the text then a couple of weeks later for my letter dated 11/08 (which confirmed they received it on the 3rd)

I know I've not been waiting long but I already feel stressed out not knowing

. Scan date 4th August. Rung this morning she said it’s waiting for DM to pick up and should be done within the next 2-3 weeks. X

@Dream133 That's good that they told you that. I don't dare call haha... hopefully mine will be within a similar time frame x

Mines 6/8 was told was with decision maker last week, rang again Friday told me was in cue to be picked up lol. They tell us what we want to hear unfortunately

Does anyone know how long it takes from being registered and sent to a DM for a decision? Thank you

I'm not 100% sure but mines been in a que for just over three weeks now i believe😫 x

It goes into a queue then the DMs pick them up from there. It varies I guess depending on workloads etc. I do know from my other child’s claim back in May, things can happen quickly. If it helps the timeline for that was:
Scan date was 18/5
Acknowledgement letter and birth certificate request both dated 22/5 I didn’t receive post until 3/6 I sent birth certificate the same day 24hr tracked and they received 4/6.
I called 6/6 and they confirmed received and registered in queue for DM
Called again 19/6 told with a DM received a letter 6/7 the decision was dated 19/6.

That’s so helpful thank you! It all gets so confusing and I feel so awkward calling them as there not very helpful! Hopefully won’t be too long

Currently on hold to DLA, new claim, scan date 17th July but I can’t handle the not knowing and the staying up till past 1am to see if I get a random backdated payment, will update when I know😵‍💫