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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

DLA - how long are they taking at the moment?

26 replies

lars · 29/08/2006 08:17

Sent my forms back and had letter saying they are dealing with the claim. The letter said if I haven't heard in 8weeks to call. I don't remember it taking as long before. It has been around 6weeks now. larsxx

OP posts:

MrsFio · 29/08/2006 08:18

I have just had my renewal pack through. It says to fill in 'immediately' to get a decision before the renewal date which is in february next year!!!!

oh joy

coppertop · 29/08/2006 08:24

I think it depends on where you live. Ds2's claim earlier this year took months but then even the staff on the helpline were shocked at how long the claim-handler was taking. Ds1's claim took only about 2 or 3 weeks.

Fio's just reminded me. Ds1's DLA is due to be renewed next year. B*gger!

fairydust · 29/08/2006 08:27

it took about 15 weeks here apparntly there very slow at the mo

Original poster

lars · 29/08/2006 08:36

I have sent lot of evidence, so I hoped it wouldn't take too long. I just thought it would be quicker as before it only took about 3 weeks. larsxx

OP posts:

MABS · 17/09/2006 09:26

Have had the forms since June, kept pulling it off but finally nearlt done them now. Will send off later this week. It's been horrendous filling 'em in, really brought me done. Just need to post them now, am expecting to be refused, but reading the forms back was truly depressing. Lars - did you hear?

chatee · 17/09/2006 09:44

i sent the renewal forms for dd(had them for about 4 months and they should have been back for middle of august)registered post which were delivered on 31st august and i have heard nothing at all yet....not even acknowledgement that they have been received....so glad i photocopied them

MABS · 17/09/2006 10:11

good point Chatee, will copy them

misdee · 17/09/2006 10:12

dd1 claim took a matter of week. we are now in appeal stage for dd2, ita taken since march to get to this point.

suedenley · 17/09/2006 10:32

hi
after i went through applying for dla last year and had a nightmare battle to get it i was petrified at the thought of going through it again but then i came across cerebra who are a charity for brain related disorders and they do an excellent step by step guide of how to fill in the form .They remind you of all the little things our kids do that we just take for granted and accept as part of them not as part of their disability ,as well as going through each answer and all the possible answers dependant on your childs disability, it really is excellent .
their number is 01267 244 216

reiver · 17/09/2006 15:38

I found the Cerebra guide a great help when I completed the claim forms recently. I've just heard that the renewal was successful too - took about six weeks.
However, they've only awarded it for 18 months this time which was a surprise as the last was for 5 years! Is this just standard practice at the moment - any ideas? It just seems strange as DD's needs are more complex now than were apparent five years ago.
Don't want to sound ungrateful as I know others are having such a hard time getting theirs processed at all & are having to appeal but I'm a bit gobsmacked at the thought of having to do it all again so soon.

MABS · 18/09/2006 12:45

posted it, now feel sick!!!

Heartmum2Jamie · 23/09/2006 15:58

Hi!

I sent ds2's claim form off on the 24th August, had a letter just over 2 weeks later to say it was being looked at and if not heard in 8 weeks...blah, blah. We went away for a week and came home to a letter saying that they wish to get in touch with the GP. Am now crapping myself because the GP has no idea what we go through on a daily basis, just his original diagnosis' and medications. I have decided to print a copy of my claim form and take it to my GP for him to look through. It's a stressful time and I am not sure what to expect as this is our first claim. I suppose I should be greatful that they are not dismissing it out of hand yet.

fattiemumma · 23/09/2006 16:01

when i first applied for DS theyw rote back and said they wanted to speak to the GP.

i rang them and said that by all menas they could contact him but he rarely saw the GP so if theyw ould prefer to speak to someone like his HV, community pead or even the school they would probably find that more usefull.

they wrote back within 48 hours with the decision....they didn't contact anyone.

MABS · 29/09/2006 18:33

just had letter saying same Fattiemum, they say they are writing to gp. That'll be a total waste as she hasn't seen him for 16 months! do you think i should suggest they ctct Consultant insted? he has 3 of them , all at different hosps!!

CaptainPlump · 29/09/2006 22:42

When I filled in my DLA form I was advised to send a copy to the people they might write to for information on Sam, so I sent one my GP (who hadn't seen him since he was tiny and had no idea about his issues!)and the health visitor. Needless to say the DLA people wrote to nobody in the end, but it's still pretty good advice.

fattiemumma · 29/09/2006 22:46

good idea CP.

i would ring them and explain that he is seen by XYand Z and so they would be better off contacting them rather than teh GP as he no longer deals with yoru Lo's care.

at least that way they wont get a blank response from your gp

MABS · 30/09/2006 18:11

Thanks CP good idea. Looking forward to meeting you tmrow Fattimama.

FioFio · 30/09/2006 19:36

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Message withdrawn

Tiggiwinkle · 30/09/2006 20:31

I have had our renewal forms for about a month now and am still putting it off! Does anyone know, if the new award is for a lower rate than the old one, when does the new (lower) one start? Our award does not run our until next February, so would hate to apply and get a decision quickly and therefore lose money if the award is lower. Or does the new one not start until the old one runs out?

MABS · 07/10/2006 08:27

new award starts when old one finishes. still nothing yet

Socci · 07/10/2006 09:09

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Message withdrawn

misdee · 07/10/2006 09:15

thats good. dd2 appeal was turned down. i have requested new forms, they sent adult fornms out instead

Socci · 07/10/2006 09:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

misdee · 07/10/2006 09:40

dd2 new nursery has an enrichment group. i am busy getting all her paperwork otgether so they can support her. i think they will be ok with the forms. am now waiting for childrens forms.

i have used the adult forms for me afterall i dropped another full cup of teat the other day as my hands gave up.

Heartmum2Jamie · 07/10/2006 10:04

That's great socci!!

Misdee, ds2's original claim has been turned down and we are now going to appeal. It looks like I am in this for the long haul and am expecting it to take months. I'm sorry dd2 got turned down and hope that the new forms arrive soon

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