New DLA wait times 2022

[Momof2soonmomto3]

Iv made this new one as the thread I was following along with others has now been closed mine was scanned on the 18th Feb and still awaiting decision, I'm currently been waiting 40 mins on phone to DLA trying to get a update

I called this morning... My son was awarded MRC on the 18th :) very happy mum over here... I was very anxious about calling but I needed to know its the 11th week. He said I should have back payment in the bank tomorrow. Good luck everyone and thank you for this thread, I wouldn't of called otherwise xx

Hi lovelies,

I've never posted before but thought I would share my update and hopefully recieve some advice in return please?

My sons claim was scanned on the 10th of March. No decision has been made yet however it is with a DM.
When I called today this nice lady on the phone sent an email to said DM to ask if a decision has been made as of yet.

Has anybody else had to have an email sent to chase things up with the DM? If so, how long after was the decision made? And, did anybody contact you? Or did you call back?

TIA

Hi all, update on my Change Of Circumstances. Not good news I’m afraid, my Son has not been awarded HRM, so we are still at HRC LRM. I’m awaiting letter to put in an MR. Any advice and help on this would be appreciated. If I speak to my Son’s Paediatrician can I ask him for a letter? I sent his report but it wasn’t directed to DLA. Can I ask for a letter that will state he should be eligible due to his needs. We haven’t been out properly in over 3 years due to his difficulties.

Hi everyone I’ve never posted but been keeping up with this thread for a while now , I have currently asked for a change of circumstances for my son ,
I didn’t know how to go about a coc so I called dla and reported over phone and was advised to put it in writing detailing everything so I sent the letter back in March received 13thMarch . I later called for update and was advised I also had to fill in a coc form . I sent this back and dated from 7th April . My question is will my claim be dated from letter initially asking for coc or the form I sent back ? Thanks

@Mum2Two91 sorry to hear things haven't changed for you. I can fully sympathise, we haven't been out properly for years as we struggle too so we are hopefull for HRM but also doubtful we will get it this time round.

I don't have any advice but please keep us updated with your MR, as we will be doing the same if we have to.
I have roughly another month to wait as ours is a renewal, still painful.

Those who are struggling to get out of the house and have been refused HRM or are awaiting a decision have you applied for a blue badge? You don’t need HRM to apply, it is just HRM automatically qualifies.

@AReallyUsefulEngine because it is so close to finding out about DLA we are waiting as HRM would just make the process easier. But we have started sorting stuff out for it now incase we don't get awarded, I've got some appointments throughout June so will ask for some advive from professionals too.

Sadly, a blue badge will only solve a small fraction of the issues we do have but will make some difference.

How long dose it take for back dated payment for UC as my account has been updated now but doesn’t say anything bout back payment @Wilzo235 @Kerrik94

@Bizzlemizzle I appreciate you may not want to, but if you would like to if you post more information about your difficulties getting out of the house there may be other avenues of support e.g. many parents find a SN buggy or wheelchair helps or other grants available.

I’m not sure I haven’t heard anything off them yet

Hi lovely I tried to call this morning but kept getting cut off every time its so frustrating! I'm trying again now as I type so hopefully I get some answers! 🤞

I do hope you get a decision soon my fingers and toes are all crossed for you (and for myself)

Will update as soon as I know something

Also thank you 😊 sorry got all flustered replying and waiting on hold!

@AReallyUsefulEngine ohh this will be a long one 😂

Our main problems with DS, hes 8 and autistic, are behavioural issues and sensory. Hes extremely violent, he will run at any opportunity. He will stop still and lay on the floor or run and hide if he hears a loud noise, sirens and car/house alarms are a huge issue. A 12 minute trip to school can take us an hour.

We have tried reins but he has nearly taken my arm from the socket several occasions. He hates ear defenders too. He also runs out into main roads and sits at the end of drive ways when a car is reversing out. Many of times I've had foot to the shins and he will bolt. Our house is like Fort Knox because he tries to escape.

As he gets bigger its getting harder to keep hold of him. I have a toddler who I have to take with me half the week, we also have to collect him early from school partly because the roads are quieter so less risk to himself and others as well as issues in school.

If we do take him out in the car, the second that door is open he is off like a bullet. We decided quite a while ago that nothing is worth the risk and we will only take him out if absolutely necessary and if we are both there (this is probably where the Blue Badge would be beneficial).

Currently we only have one car, and my OH uses that for work most days as public transport and taxis are terrible around here and theres noone he can car share with. The car is old and on it's way out so he is likely going to need a new car soon, but I also need a car and 2 new cars would cripple us. I did have a car until end of last year but it broke to the point it had to be scrapped, actually broken down with DS in the car and my god that was an actual nightmare.
I'll occasionally take him to work in the mornings but it's not always possible as sometimes things are that bad we cant get him to work on time. He is considering going part time so I'll have the car in the morning and afternoon but again financially it will cripple us.

In a nutshell, we can't win. It all boils down to finances and access to transport and we have to battle between keeping him safe and finances. We are just about at our limits to what we can do.
There is probably some simple solutions out there but the way my brain is functioning at the moment it's hard to find them.

But it was nice to get all that off my chest 😂

A SN buggy or wheelchair sounds like it could help you. It may also reduce DS’s sensory overload. You could ask for a referral to wheelchair services and if not there are various charities than can help e.g. Whizz Kidz, Boparan Trust, Caudwell Children, New Life. New life do emergency equipment loans including SN buggies and wheelchairs too. If you are awarded DLA at any rate Children Today grant SN buggies and wheelchairs too.

A 12 minute trip to school can take us an hour.

Have you asked for school transport? If you have been refused contact SENTAS as they specialise in helping with transport appeals.

He hates ear defenders too.

Have you tried noise cancelling headphones instead? Especially in ear earphones if it is the sensory feeling of having something over his ears/head. Has DS seen an OT and does he receive ongoing sensory OT?


If we do take him out in the car, the second that door is open he is off like a bullet.

Have you got a crelling harness so DS cannot get out on his own?

Have you had social care assessments? A carer’s assessment for you and an assessment via the disabled children’s team for DS. This could result in you getting direct payments for a PA which would help you.

As you have a toddler have you been in touch with Home Start? They may be able to provide a volunteer to help you get out the house when you are on your own with DC.

Are you receiving all the other benefits you are entitled to? And other grants too so you can divert the funds you would use on other things towards transport e.g. Family fund, Able Kidz, some of the ones mentioned above grant things over than mobility equipment too.

You don’t have to answer all the questions here, just things to think about.

As promised I have an update....
My son has been rewarded middle rate care (no mobility which knew he wouldn't anyway due to criteria etc) BUT I AM SO HAPPY all these months weeks and days of stress, calls and so on have paid off, I truly hope you get a decision very soon (and also everyone else reading this too) There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's a positive one I'm so overjoyed for my son this will open so many doors for him and my advice to everyone is keep chasing it at least once a week from the 8 weeks they received it/you sent they will check what's been received, where it is in the decision makers pile and hopefully like me by the 11th week- YOU'LL GET AN ANSWER!! Also please don't make yourself ill or stressed over this process I feel so silly now, if you don't get the decision you think your child is entitled to please fight it because our babies deserve it! Keep rocking it mummas you got this👏👌

Good luck to everyone ❤️

@Bluemum87 it took about 3 weeks before I received letter on the journal about being awarded the backdated payment. We received the payment a couple of days from letter being issued.

@Bluemum87 Im now waiting to here back for my son backdated element. As he gets child disability payment ( Scottish Version of DLA) They confirmed this morning they have verified he gets disability benefit and the new element will be added from out next payment and agent has now been sent to decision maker to authorise the backdated amount.

Finally had our answer (scanned March 11th)
My son had been granted MRC, no mobility element as he is only 2 (3 september) so didn't apply.

Just for reference for those going through similar, my lo needs round the clock monitoring for autism, non verbal, sensory disorder, pica, hyper mobility and toileting issues. We only had paperwork from audiology (issues with hearing possibly resolved) acknowledging his needs during assessment there. We were getting prepared to appeal given the lack of paperwork. But they have granted MRC, feeling so grateful tonight for one less battle. Good luck to every one, hoping you all have some good news.

@SareyJ brilliant news for you to, pleased for you and your little one.

They’re really picky with hrm. My daughter has a genetic disorder and cerebral palsy but because she can occasionally walk with a limp to her wheelchair they deem that as an ability to walk.

@Sarah3587 you can get HRM and be able to walk some or all of the time. It sounds like DD should qualify for HRM under the virtually unable to walk criteria.

I rang them today. Getting so nervous now scan date 18th march. They said hopefully should hear something by Friday 😅

Thank you so much❤️
What brilliant news for you and your little one too!

Thank you I got a letter today also I’m account has been updated with the new disability element but hopefully will get updated soon on the back payment @Polly421

@Bluemum87 if you’ve received a letter with the backdated amount on your journal then you should receive this payment later this week. It’s stupid that they issue a letter saying the amount owed but not when it’s to be paid.