DLA RENEWAL - HOW LONG TO SEND FORM BACK?

[Hugbear]

Just received my son's DLA renewal pack. His award ends in March 2021 but form asks to send it back immediately, doesn't say by which date. Hate filling these forms. Anyone in similar situation ?

It’s standard to be sent it approx 20 weeks before it’s due to run out.

For reference we were sent ours in the august (was due to run out in the January) I sent it back at the end of the October but spent from when it arrived until the October filling it out photocopying reports to add in etc then sent it back with a few weeks to spare before the award was due to end so it had time to be looked at and be sorted in time x

Hi,
I’ve just sent a renewal back for my son just over a week ago. I haven’t yet received an acknowledgement letter or text to say they’ve received it but I’m lead to believe this can take a couple of weeks from when they receive it. My son’s award is due to end early January and I only just got the form in first week in November! So my form was pretty late by sounds of it! I also hate filling the forms in! X

@Hugbear
Forgot to say, my letter also said to send back immediately or else they might not have time to process it before existing claim runs out. With only having about 8 weeks until it runs out from time form arrived I thought I’d better get it sorted. Just hoping I haven’t done it too quickly now and missed anything out!

Thank you @BerylSilverstone and @danni0509.

I hate the mobilty section of the DLA form. How on earth can I measure how long it takes for my son to walk to a particular distance / pace of his walking when I'm dealing with an 11 year old (almost my size) who lies on the floor, refusing to walk during one of his many tantrums.

I find the mobility section tricky. I think because we do it every day it just becomes routine for us and it is then hard to articulate the extra supervision we give etc on the form.
Does anyone know if they keep a record of the details from your last claim? I’m slightly concerned now because I’ve sent some new evidence but I haven’t included any of the things I sent last time.

I didn’t even tick a box on that part, I added a separate sheet stapled to the page and just put (from memory) I can’t give a specific answer for this question as it varies too much, what he could walk in the morning isn’t necessarily what he could walk in the afternoon. So much affects his walking, then I went on to list exactly what. So for one example (I have so many examples!) ds is absolutely shit scared of trees blowing in the wind it really causes him so much anxiety and he will lay on the floor / act really erratic and drag me into the road etc and as soon as he hears the lashing of the branches he immediately needs carrying, then he covers his ears closes his eyes and hums really loudly to block it out, bless him (he’s 7 now and almost as tall as me! Granted I’m only a short arse myself 😂 but it’s difficult for me to carry him especially as he’s getting older) so in that situation he can’t walk more than a metre. It’s ok them saying well that’s just him refusing, which he is really but you know yourself it’s not as clear cut as that, normally a typical developing child refusing to walk can be coaxed / bribed / threatened with losing xyz / moved along by grasping their arm etc. None of that works for ds if I don’t pick him up and carry him then that’s that, he puts us in such danger so at that given time he can’t walk at all and that’s because of his autism not because he’s being a spoilt little brat.

That’s just one example I used.

I went on to really spell it out about the no danger awareness (he genuinely has zero) I also referred them to reports I had included which confirmed this from numerous professionals.

He’s received high rate care since 2 and when we renewed 2 years ago at age 5 he got high rate care again and low rate mobility added to it aswell and this time for 7 years.

Several people I spoke to said ds should really qualify for high rate mobility as he’s extreme and often needs 2-1 out of the house (he has 2-1 at school) but we are happy with his award and length of award so haven’t perused that.

If you need any help give us a shout x

I got my social worker and school to write a supporting letter regarding mobility. I wrote very little especially about distancing but referred to the letters of support. The social worker wrote about his need and rights to access the community and the danger that he puts himself and others in. The school wrote that they would never walk with him near roads and would provide 2:1 at all times to access the community.

@danni0509 I'm tiny myself and I'm sure I will look like a midget next to my son in the next year 🤣. I actually suffer with awful back pain as a result of carrying him likr a baby. Thank you for the tips. I will gather some energy and will aim to send the forms back in the next 2 weeks.

@Boulshired I've spoken to my son's school for a supporting letter but apparently he's an absolute angel and they don't see the extreme behaviour I experience on a daily basis. I'm almost in tears but the school can't praise him enough. I know it's common for autistic childen to behave differently at home in comparison to school but it honestly feels like we're talking about 2 different kids when it comes to my son

I received the pack yesterday and ds's award runs out mid February. I got help with the form the last time from Citizens Advice, they were fantastic. I also took a copy of the completed form and will use it for the renewal as not much has changed.
That's my exciting weekend planned - form filling and looking out any reports and letters to photocopy.

I found school try to protect themselves, DS2 had 1:1 at his special school for over a year before they admitted it. This was after two meetings when asked and they lied. Now he is 2:1 and again they tried to deny it, but his teacher stated his 2:1 in his behaviour risk assessment and that it had been in place for some time. I do think sometimes it’s the budget speaking so they do not want to state the needs as then they have to provide the resources.

Was just wondering if anyone who has been through the renewal process before could help me with something?
I’ve just sent a renewal back for my son almost 2 weeks ago, and while I’ve sent some new evidence, I haven’t included anything I sent before. I sort of assumed they could perhaps look back on that but now I’m wondering if that will go against us. For example, I have an education psychology report from 2018 which I sent last time but I didn’t include it this time, thinking they would already have it. I’m wondering now if it’s worth sending them this?
Thanks x

@BerylSilverstone yes I would send it in, 2018 isn’t that long ago really.

I would send that in with a covering letter to say you wanted to include this in with your renewal but just remember to put your ds national insurance number name and date of birth on everything so it can be added to his info.

I sent in stuff after as something arrived in the post which was really good evidence so I sent it approx 3 weeks after the first lot of forms x

Thanks @danni0509
I guess it certainly can’t do any harm so I might as well send it. Was just wondering if people would think the report is too old but it will give some background info.
I sent the form back on 16th November and I haven’t had an acknowledgement text or letter yet, does this sound ok?
I had a letter about a week after last time to confirm they got it but it was a new claim so not sure if that makes a difference. X

Does anyone know do you still carry getting paid dla even though you send your renewal forms back but havent heard about a decision yet x

Anyone know how long renewals are taking?

I called the DWP about my son's DLA renewal the other day. It took me 40 mins on hold but I finally got to speak to someone. She told me that they're so snowed under, they are currently processing claims that are due to expire the following week!
Although I have heard that some people are hearing within 4 weeks of sending off the paperwork so I don't think that's a hard and fast rule.

When does your sons dla run out?

3 weeks!! I usually get the renewal form in December but this year it didn't come through until February. And of course I wasn't given any extra time to get it back, which seemed 'interesting'.

Snap!! My sons runs out in about 3 weeks too and I also never received the renewal form until February! I rang last week and was told it was in a queue,I asked what happens if its not done in time to be told well the money will stop until its looked at!! Not helpful at all

Ha @Nita70 - how funny! Although funny isn't the right word to use in this context. I am in a constant state of nerves everyday, waiting for the post and the 'brown envelope'. It's so annoying isn't it?

I had heard that many DWP staff were moved onto processing all the new Universal Credit claims due to COVID so maybe that explains the delay? I've never had it run this close to the award ending before.

Fingers crossed for you.

I will post on here when I finally do hear.

@Toomanyminifigs I agree it is very stressful waiting to hear but all we can do is wait I guess....I might call them tomorrow see if any updates....I will post on here if I've any news...fingers crossed for you hun xx

@Nita70: I just got my son's DLA award letter in the post today! He's been awarded the same level as before.
The DWP are using white envelopes now instead of brown - maybe they've run out!
While I'm relieved, his award is only for 2 years though which is a pain as that means in 18 months, I have to start all over again with the paperwork. I'd love to know how the DWP think his autism is going to be cured in two years!

Good luck with your's. Hope you get the outcome you need/deserve x

I got that around November, warning that the award would run out in late March. I returned it in early March and got confirmation a couple weeks later the claim would continue - payments missed a week but the next one paid it back.

Need some help if anyone can , I’m renewing my sons DLA and have already sent this off he’s got a medical condition that he is getting middle rate for but also been diagnosed with autism, what do you think I’ll get DLA wise will it go up , he’s got behavioural issues and will just punch me when he’s angry he’s got no awareness of the dangers around him

Hi,
I think a lot of it depends on the evidence you have sent in.
My son was put on high rate without a diagnosis and has similar issues but I had an abundance of evidence.
I'm waiting on his renewal at the moment. They received the form 23/4 but it feels like it's taking forever.
I hope yours gets sorted and hopefully, it will be increased.