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 happened to me as well, I didn't think to send it by recorded coz I thought it would get there in time. My deadline was 8th July and I received a text saying received on 10th July.
Come this Friday it will be 9 wks since SD.
One thing I did write in the extra notes was an explanation should this arrive late. So I'm really hoping the DM will accept the reason and if granted it should backdate to 27th May
Responding to NHSworkingmum, sorry it didn't connect to your post

Morning 😊🤞🤞there’ll be some good updates/outcomes for everyone today!

Hi guys quick update from me.
Rang again this morning as my anxiety is sky high. Spoke to a lovely lady, she basically said its waiting a decision still and they are literally doing them right up until the expiry date lol. So mine runs out 23rd she said if I've not heard anything by 21st to call back. Fingers crossed. I hate the waiting game and I like things sorted way in advance but ive done all I can do my side. Xx

My friend just got text message today that her son was awarded. Scan date I believe was 13 July so they must be working on these dates now. Fingers crossed for everyone’s waiting xx

Mine was 3rd of June!! I really dont understand how it works lol

I don’t understand how it works with the dates either, I’ve seen people say that they applied at the beginning of August and been awarded already so I really unsure lol x

I don’t think they work strictly in date order. I spoke to DLA and asked some systems related questions. I was told claims are scanned onto one system first, then have to be registered onto another system before they’re queued for a decision maker. I was also told there are different queues/workstreams, so two people with the same scan date can be dealt with at completely different times. That’s why I don’t think someone with an August date being awarded necessarily means they’ve “reached August” x

@Emz73 no I agree. I’ve just got off the phone to a lovely lady from the dla and she has said that my form was scanned on to the system the day they received it which was the 28th of July it’s still waiting to be picked up by a decision maker but she did say I shouldn’t be waiting too much longer now as apparently they are getting through the forms very quickly. But who nos lol! So hopefully for all us still waiting we will soon get our decision 🤞 xx

@Md234 thats good news. I’m slightly annoyed just received in the post, and a request for birth certificate dated 2nd September I’ve been asking them if they need his birth certificate or anything else every time I’ve called! Although, they did say if it was requested it shouldn’t hold it up so 🤞 going to do tracked24 so it gets there tomorrow x

@Emz73 oh no! That was exactly like me I received a letter in post asking for birth certificate and sent it tracked 24! It’s so annoying when you’ve asked already and then they request it isn’t it! Hopefully we all get the outcome we want I’ll have my fingers crossed for you xx

I think it depends on evidence provided, if it’s solid and they don’t have to investigate further it reduces the time. Also every condition is different, therefore some cases are more complicated than others

I didn’t get through last night so back on hold again to find out what “it’s processing” means, because I’ll be 8 weeks tomorrow and if they still havent got it processed onto the system yet I might in fact shed actual tears 🤦🏻‍♀️

I had this and they manually processed it for me, then they send it to a decision maker. Mines been manually processed since Monday so any update I will let you know

@Md234 it is. I had it with my other child so I’ve been half expecting it, so been busily asking. I had that so much quicker so it is supporting my theory a lot of the hold up is in the registration state after it’s first received and scanned in. 🤞 crossed for you too xx

Hats your scan date lovely? Mines the 17th July! I’ve just got off the phone and she said it’s just waiting to be picked up by a decision maker, the lady was called Megan and she was absolutely lovely couldn’t have been more helpful explained everything to me! Fingers crossed it gets picked up soon

Hi everyone I'm 13th july scan date and I just had a phone call from the decision maker I'm guessing it was.. she asked more about my son's night time care/routine so I'm guessing it will be done soon

Hi all! No update from me yet
however just popping this in for anyone in same boat!
DLA Form Sent - 23/7/26
DLA Text to say received - 28/7/26
DLA Letter to say received - 15/08/26

Current waiting time since received: 6 weeks + 2 days. Location : Surrey.

I think it depends on the DM too, maybe they have AL booked in or go off sick.

Also I know mine has been slower as I have sent additional evidence in, which then slows the process down but I’d rather send it in now and it be slower. Then not send it and maybe not get awarded.

I guess if there’s a delay if they have to speak to professionals as well, it’ll make the time longer 😤

really hope they don’t need to speak to ENT for my daughter, I’ll still be waiting in 3 months time lol They are pretty much no contact xx

Mine is the 13th so same week as you! Oh brilliant so the same as me, at this point I’m just like hurry up and pick it up! I am tempted to give a call in a few more days to see if the decision maker has made a decision or any notes but it’s a lot of stress lol!

I'm just on hold now to them, going to ask where ours is as want to send additional evidence in. Wouldn't bother if already with DM but if not I'll just do it. Would rather it slow it down slightly than risk not getting awarded if the other evidence would make a difference:) my scan date is 03/08/26 so unlikely it is with a DM I reckon lol x

I feel like I’m now at the point where I want to Calle everyday just to find out! But that won’t get me anywhere! I was hoping it would be this week as it seems to average at 8 weeks but apparently not, all in good time I guess

Just called in, my SD is 03/08, told it is in DM queue for definite. I'm not going to send my extra evidence in as it's only a few emails between me and school. Just gonna take the risk and hope what I already sent is enough x feel sick now worrying lol x

@Lulubells95 its so worrying isn’t it lol I’ve felt like this! Good luck to you I hope you get the outcome you want xx

Yep! I feel like a crazy woman haha...I've even uploaded all my evidence to chatgpt asking if I've done enough and everything but no matter what I do, nobody knows until that decision is made. Its only been 5weeks and 4days...don't think I can last another 6 weeks waiting never mind any longer lol xx good luck to you too xx