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. ❤️

Hi :)
I was awaitng my sons renewal form in the post from DLA, which didnt arrive the week it was supposed to. I called them and they said that Royal Mail had issues with sending them out and they would resend another (didnt turn up til 22nd July!) to print and fill out the online new-claim form and put "Renewal - Ref: xxx" on the top of the form. I did this and sent off Speocal next day delivery 12th July. Received a text confirming reciept 14th July. I was anxious they deemed it as a new claim, given the type of form, so called them yesterday (27th July) and they said they had made a change on the system to state renewal form, that i'd done the right thing and should hear back a week/two before the award ends (28th Oct).
Im so anxious that they're going to say no and to do the renewal form instead, as they seemed surprised I'd been advised to do this. But i was worried I would miss a deadline, as everywhere seems to state 6 weeks to get forms back?

Hopefully hear back quicker than expected. It tooks 24 loooong weeks for the original claim. I dont think I could cope doing that again :(

Wishing you all the best of luck & you get the outcomes you wish for <3

Did mr for my child dla initially awarded middle rate care .got decision letter on 23 Feb but date on the letter was 13 Feb . Make a call for mr on 23 Feb . Today got a payment of £230.10 in my account.

Getting payment means they accepted my mr . But I can't figure out rates. If it's only low mobility or only middle to high rate .

it's not fully backdated . I can't understand the payment . Can anybody help

Renewal ends September 2026
forms recieved scanned & register 9th june
advised was with decision maker but told wrong it is in a que waiting

Does anyone know how long coc are taking? Scan date 11/06
anyone around that date heard back yet?
thanks

My SD was 8th not heard yet xx

Did you hear back for the new claim? I did my sisters she paid tracking and was awarded 9 days after x

My scan date was the 24th June, I called today and they said my claim is Que 2, this would then go to Que 1 then a decision maker, he said I’m looking at around 4 more weeks.

Hi all, my sons scan date was 29th June for a new claim has anyone received a decision after a few weeks.my eldest took nearly half a year just wondering if things have improved in regards to time etc xx

I did both my daughter beginning of year both back within 4 weeks. My nephew took 9 days I also did his form was so confused why it was so quick xx

I would ring them up as new claims seem to be be a lot faster recently. They might have looked at it, my son MR was done April ive still not heard nothing back.

My scan date was the 12 June they made a decision in the 22nd July and I received back pay yesterday so it didn't take long at all that was a nc aswell

I had a scan date of the 17th June for a new claim, I haven't had a text or letter but money has gone into my account today 🎉. I can't work out what rate it is from the amount, so hope they send a letter soon!

Fingers crossed for all those waiting.

Does this go by area you think I'm from Birmingham

Thanks all, anyone here from London got a quick response wondering if that may be why it takes so long 🙃🤦🏻‍♀️

Scan date also 11/6 new claim and not heard anything

Coc 28th May scan date x

Have you heard back yet x

I’m guessing applications in London must be taking much longer my son goes to a speacual needs school and haven’t heard from any other parents that it’s taken only a few weeks usually 6-7 months 🙃

This is the same as my scan date. Hopefully will have some news tomorrow or next week!

Did child dla mr . They changed decision and stopped our dla ... my child was getting middle rate . What should I do now

I've had my letter now to confirm higher rate care and lower rate mobility which I expected. The amount they paid me was from the scan date until the date they paid, do they not backdate any more? I expected it to be backdated to when I requested the form.

Contact them to find out. This might be your payment going forward with the backdate expected soon hopefully.

What like took your full claim off you? X

Did you hear from them yet? X

How did you know the scan date if they haven’t sent you letter or text? X