DLA wait times 2023 Part 10

[JimnJoyce]

hi thought i'd start a new thread as the last one is completely full and won't let me post.

Well I've just spoken to a very understanding man on the phone who confirmed that my daughters application is with the decision making team and I should hear within the next 3 weeks which would take us up to 16 weeks.
I told him I would like to make a formal complaint about the inordinately long wait times and he assured me he would make that known and pass it along as soon as we were off the phone.

Thank you 😊 x

Just called again still not with anyone and they said it's taking 17 and a half weeks now I'm the 5th April

That's great news 👏

Morning it seems alot of people with scan date of 3rd April are with decision makers so hopefully it won't be that long for us hopefully not 17 and a half weeks lol

Or 18 weeks 😳😂

Good luck!

Haha could ring tomorro and get told 19 weeks who knows 🤣

I hope you get good news. I am also hoping my daughter gets good news. We are on a 2 year long waiting list for adhd and autism. Halfway there. She's 7 and really struggling. She's on an iep in school. I don't have much evidence to go on unfortunately. Is this your first time applying? Does she have a diagnosis?

I hope you get good news. I am also hoping my daughter gets good news. We are on a 2 year long waiting list for adhd and autism. Halfway there. She's 7 and really struggling. She's on an iep in school. I don't have much evidence to go on unfortunately. Is this your first time applying? Does she have a diagnosis?

Same scan date as me. Was yours done under any of special rules etc can I ask please?

You really need to call them up. Our daughter was scanned on the 27/3 but it was only when we called up that we got sorted. We were successful in getting her DLA. (Took around 17 weeks(.

The wait times to get through are horrendous. Has to be down to staff shortage. This is what put me off applying in the first place.

OK, I've worked in call centers a few years. I'd like to think I can tell when an agent is being genuine...
I finally got through and she was able to confirm they received my further evidence.
I asked about the date, explaining letter saying 15 weeks but I know some have waited longer.
She said the most recent update is saying up to 17.5 weeks, this depends on complicity of the claim, if they need to check anything further etc.
This timescale may go up or down, they send these to agents every so often.
They are working in date order however, in the 'overtime stock' priority is given to aged cases. Others picked up in date order.
This kind of explains the different responses people are getting and why some from April are waiting but some from May have an answer.
It needs a complete overhaul really. We're in a cost of living crisis, DLA isn't something that's 'promoted' to us parents, it not only can provide more financial support but can open doors to more support for the child too.

Hope those waiting get a positive outcome. And soon.

Anyone got any updates?

@Samiieyy no just a normal claim. I think they must go by the call up date

This is the first time applying for my daughter. She is on the ASD/ADHD waiting list, and has an IEP & additional support at school. I have a younger child who I applied for last year and was successful, they were 7 at the time. Suspected ASD & ADHD (still currently sat on a huge waiting list and has been for 18 months now). But they also have a number of other difficulties. Despite no diagnosis for them, I had plenty of evidence to send from paediatrician, OT, physio. The only evidence I had to send for the claim we are waiting on was stuff from school backing up the support my daughter needs, so I am worried its not enough 😬

My son has been diagnosed with Anorexia nervosa.

We are seen at CAMHS. I sent CAMHS letter, doctors referral letter and I filled out a diary. He is both physically and mentally poorly. Anorexia is a very complex illness

our scan date was 8th of May.
Xxx

Let me know if you are successful with the claim. I have sent in her Iep and got her teacher to fill out the section on form. Do you think they will ask for more evidence from the school or gp? I also have included her referral letters but she hasn't been seen by any other professionals/ teams. Don't have much hope. Our situation seems similar for our 7 year olds 🤞

Sorry just realised your other child was 7. Not the one you are applying for 🙂

My worry was they will want to speak to school but obviously it is the holidays. However her teacher did fill in the form. If they want to speak to our GP there won't be any information to give as all referrals & support have come through school. With my younger child they didn't seek any additional evidence, it also took only 12 weeks, which felt like a lifetime but this is much worse! We want to seek some private OT therapy for both children, but without this we can only do one.

any updates anyone?

Nothing 😭 I've given up on hearing anything this week now. Hoping it'll be next week.

Me too. I'm ringing them up one last time now. Last time I rang was Monday. Doubt anything will have changed in 3 days lol but will see.

Good luck, let us know what they say. Think I might ring them Monday or Tuesday next week.

I will do. Probably a waste of time but will see