Please or to access all these features

SN children

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

DLA (new applicants) waiting times

306 replies

Raisingthenoodles · 18/10/2021 20:06

Hello, my forms for DLA (for my son aged 5 with ASD & GDD) were received and put on someone desks on 26th August. This Thursday will be eight weeks exactly and I’m starting to panic a little anyone want to wait with me for their replies?

OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 20/10/2021 10:03

I'll wait with you, though I'll probably be waiting a bit longer as I didn't get my form in until 5th October. I saw on another thread that it seems to be taking closer to 12 weeks for a lot of people, but now it's over 8 you can try ringing them to check on progress.

How much evidence did you send? I think if you have a lot of recent reports it can speed it up, as they don't have to contact as many people for more information.

Asdawindowandglass · 20/10/2021 21:29

Can I join? Form went two weeks ago. So a long time to wait I think

ASDmummy2019 · 20/10/2021 22:25

Mine was also 26th August. I got a letter today apologising for the wait and they’ll be in touch soon. I’ve commented on another post and it seems we’ll be waiting another two weeks xx

Pumpkin5piced · 20/10/2021 22:39

Mine were received on the 20th. No news yet. I called at the 8 week mark and was told they’re running 2 weeks behind.

MrsHookey · 21/10/2021 00:14

Applied in late June. The text message only just came through. I haven't received any letter yet.

MrsRobbieHart · 21/10/2021 00:33

I applied in July- according to their letter 26th of July. I thought it was June though- need to check my own records. I got a letter about 2 weeks ago apologising that I’ve had no decision yet and that they were looking at my case. Then last Friday I got a payment covering 10 weeks and yesterday I got a letter confirming what has been awarded.

Mammyloveswine · 21/10/2021 14:57

Interesting as just completing my sons... I mainly only have his most up date confirmation of diagnosis letter which outlines his difficulties.

Do I need to send anything else?? He had ASD

ASDmummy2019 · 21/10/2021 15:38

@Mammyloveswine At the time I applied that’s all I had but I put on names of the teams he was under. If you have any more I’d send it just so they can see everything. And if he’s at a nursery/school get them to do the statement part. I wish I’d used guidance when filling mine out because now im convinced they’ll reject it 😣 apparently the cerebra guide is good xx

Sprogonthetyne · 21/10/2021 17:34

@Mammyloveswine

Interesting as just completing my sons... I mainly only have his most up date confirmation of diagnosis letter which outlines his difficulties.

Do I need to send anything else?? He had ASD

I think it depends what you have, we sent DS's diagnosis letter (ASD), a report from SaLT, Ed psychologist and pediatrician (everything we had from within the last year). I also sent minutes from recent meetings with school, a copy of their description of his needs in his EHCP application, and the letter from LA agreeing to assess (still waiting on plan).

To be honest I'm not sure if it was all needed, but I just sent everything I had, and they can ignore anything they don't need.

ASDmummy2019 · 25/10/2021 18:18

Anyone had any updates? Wondering if it’s worth ringing tomorrow but don’t want to mither 🙈

Pumpkin5piced · 25/10/2021 18:57

I might call tomorrow. It’s 10 weeks for me on Friday.

Hermanfromguesswho · 25/10/2021 19:01

Mine arrived end August too. I had a letter from them a week ago saying they hadn’t made a decision yet and to keep waiting.

Pumpkin5piced · 26/10/2021 07:10

I got my payment today! Not sure what I’ve been awarded. Looks like possibly mrc and lm which is what I was hoping for. I’ll call today to confirm.

ASDmummy2019 · 26/10/2021 09:38

@Pumpkin5piced that’s brilliant news! I’ll wait another week before I call then. Xx

ASDmummy2019 · 28/10/2021 19:00

Hi, I called them this morning our application was received by them on 26th August and they made a decision on 26th October. Unfortunately we’re having to do a mandatory reconsideration but it might be worth ringing tomorrow for anyone around those dates xx

Sprogonthetyne · 28/10/2021 21:26

@Pumpkin5piced

I got my payment today! Not sure what I’ve been awarded. Looks like possibly mrc and lm which is what I was hoping for. I’ll call today to confirm.
Yey, that great news. If yours is representative, their running 2 weeks behind and processing in 10 weeks. Based on your wait time I might hear before Christmas🤞
Pumpkin5piced · 29/10/2021 21:42

They did say they were taking 10 weeks and I got the money about 3 days before the 10 weeks and the letter 2 days later.

Luckymummy83 · 29/10/2021 23:45

Hi I'm new I sent my daughters forms bk and they were received on the system the 7th of September contacted dla yesterday and there not with the decision maker yet I'm really nervous as I haven't sent alot of evidence apart from she has been referred to cahms!!my little girl is 4 and the past couple of years I've struggled extremely she doesn't sleep at night and her behaviour is the same day in day out if she has melt downs I get my hair pulled punched she constantly screams at the slightest things she never can be wrong,she's misses school alot because of her lack of sleep when I try get her up its extremely hard with her melt downs just be nice to have someone to speak to x

oviraptor21 · 29/10/2021 23:47

If you haven't sent much evidence then be prepared for a mandatory consideration and appeal.
Contact Citizens Advice if you need help with them.

Luckymummy83 · 30/10/2021 01:42

I no it's probably not going to be a good outcome but I will fight all the way!I have a son with adhd and a daughter with autism it's very hard but I fight through it all day in day out because I just want what's best for them many thanks x

Pix1985 · 02/11/2021 12:22

Mine was scanned 24th August and still no decision. I have called a few times for an update and was told last Monday it was with the decision maker. When I called yesterday, no decision had been made but was told it would be made shortly within next 2 weeks but have been told that since beginning of October.

Pumpkin5piced · 02/11/2021 20:28

@Pix1985 I would expect payment (if awarded) by the end of this week. Mine was 20th August and I got my payment last week.

Pix1985 · 03/11/2021 08:30

@Pumpkin5piced - Thanks. I rang Monday as I sent further evidence last week and was still with decision maker. I’m going to call again today as sent another fax Monday with further evidence so hopefully a decision has made.

Sambysamba · 03/11/2021 09:34

I've just called, it's 9 weeks today for us and still no decision :( it's a long agonising wait for us because I rushed the forms and sent no evidence at all.

Pix1985 · 03/11/2021 09:36

Spoke to them and still no decision here.
Hopefully won’t be to much longer as was 10 weeks yesterday since they scanned it ☹️