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 did exactly this when I applied. Uploaded copy of her medical letters and everything 😂 chat gpt says yes, wonder if I can send that as evidence haha xx

2 awards today with a S/D of 9th July.

What did chat gpt say? I did this and it said I would get mrc and lrm

Yes said same for me as most likely but who knows...don't wanna get our hopes up ha x

I think it is quite accurate, maybe depending on the DM that you get. I’ve spoke to the DM for my daughters application as he needed to ask me more questions, and he said she will get mrc but he wasn’t sure on mobility and I had to send further evidence in for him to decide. This was on Monday so I am going to call tomorrow to see if it’s been added or if he’s made a decision now.

It’s nice seeing the dates getting closer to our own scan dates

Hopefully not much longer for us all🤞 the lady I spoke to today said they usually get scanned on the same day as they receive them unless it’s too late. But then others will say different xx

Ooh, fingers crossed then! I do feel he should get middle so if he got lower I'd probably do MR. I'm unsure if we will get the low mobility as he's 13 and not unsafe near roads etc but he does struggle with his gross and fine motor skills which does cause him to have a lot of trips, falls etc and he does need support and supervision in any unfamiliar environments due to complete overwhelm and his struggles socially. He can walk to his bus stop for the school bus as it's literally about 30 seconds from our house but due to his anxiety around routines etc if the bus is late he spirals and is constantly messaging me for reassurance (he masks so tries not to show his distress in front of those at the bus stop) and sometimes has to come home and me take him in. So it varies really. Id be happy just with the MC to be honest but if he's entitled to LM then of course that would be a bonus :)

Also how was it speaking to the DM...did they ask much? X

My daughter is similar but younger she is 9. It was hard to prove the mobility as her safety plan and my plan at school are based on keeping her regulated and her emotions etc. she runs and is violent when deregulated but this is with me at home not at school. We had our camhs first consultation today and they have offered her an assessment so I’m hoping this will help with some strategies to use for this. The DM was asking about night time routine as she wakes in the night but not consistently - he said she would need medical intervention to get hrc. We haven’t spoke to the gp about night time at all as for now we have just been focussed so much on her anxiety and getting through the day 🤦🏽‍♀️

He was really nice. He had to ask some tough questions, they were tough because it’s repeating what’s on the form and it just made me feel emotional talking to a stranger about her needs and how hard it is. Also it was her first day back at school that morning which was awful so I felt quite emotional anyway. But yeh he asked about night time, what support she has for her behaviour at school, what stage her referrals are at, if I wanted to add anything. I don’t know if what I’ve sent is enough for lrm. She will only get a two year award as she isn’t diagnosed. (Waiting for this) so I think when we do a renewal I’ll have longer to prepare and send even more stuff to them 🤣🤣

Thanks for giving me this idea! Never thought to do it! I got MRC and LRM I wonder if this will also be the case!!

Aw yeah it's so hard to say all their struggles without saying the positives I think. But sure it'll be any time now for you and you can forget about it for a while :) like you say it'll give you time to build up the evidence gradually for the renewal as well xx

Anyone with any awards today? Drop your scan date 🥰 congrats to everyone awarded, good luck to those opening a MR

I randomly uploaded it all on one of the many nights I couldn’t sleep while thinking about the claim.
can’t believe how badly it’s affected me, never realised how impatient I can actually be!

chatgpt says high rate care is possible but middle rate care more likely. So see what happens when I hear back.

fingers crossed won’t be much longer for everyone x

i have 2 children diagnosed and they only ever get 2 year at a time.

Well im on week 9. Called up Wednesday just gone, and he said it was in the hands of a decision maker. Ive not heard anything.
Scan date 10th July.
There is a note on my account that says to text when a decision is made, so im assuming ut isnt with a decision maker, or, its been rejected and they just sent a letter.
My son is diagnosed autistic. Confirmed dyslexic. Has hyper mobility. A right leg-foot in turn.
Is under muscular/skeletal clinic, sleep clinic, and has to be home educated due to his autism.
The stress feels awful. Theres so much help I can give my son should this go through accepted but my senses are telling me its rejected. Especially with so many August dates being accepted on fb

What age are they? I’m only saying what he told me

Unfortunately they tell us all different things. My children are 15 and 9 and I also have 18 year old, who was always given 2 years at a time until he changed over to pip now it’s 5 years. My 3rd is undiagnosed but waiting and I’m waiting for decision her claim so I’ll see if hers is also 2 years xx

I can’t see your claim being denied.. I was told with DM last week and then Monday was told was in a cue! They all say different things it winds me up sometimes x

Hi guys. This Thread is nearly full so I have made a new one:https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5577188-dla-wait-times-thread-83?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I read that sometimes it goes to DM then they might decide to write to school or GP just to confirm details even if it's got to them already ...so it will show as being back 'in queue' until they get responses and they're ready to make decision. Not sure how correct that is though x

They have never had to go to school for any of mine and I’ve been told it before. They said it’s coz there is 2 cue but I just don’t think half of them check properly. I’m only on 5 weeks, 1 day. my last claim took 5 weeks and 4 days so I’ll ring again end next week as I do think it goes on area too and how many claims etc the DM has who you have been allocated with x

My previous comment came across quite blunt sorry about that I was multi tasking 🤣

Thank you, ive just got off the phone to them, and wow, wonderful lady i spoke to. My son has been awarded!!! Payment has been sent. I hope you get good news really soon!!!! Xx