DLA WAIT TIMES THREAD 58

[zoeybrooks45]

Hello everybody, I have made a new thread please put in your scan date, hopefully we hear some good news this month. please be kind and feel free to share scan date, entitlement award and what child is diagnosed with as others in similar position can feel uplifted in these stressful times. 💐

New claims (NC) are taking ‘around’ 20 weeks.
Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) & Change Of Circumstances (COC) between 20-25 weeks approx.
Renewals between 15-20 weeks approx
tribunals: when you disagree with MR and are considered by a court
scan date (SD) date form was scanned on the system and counting weeks for decision
original claim date: date you called up for the forms and you will be backdated

UC : universal credit
DWP: department of work and pensions
DM: decision maker; the person who assesses each claim and awards/decline a case

number for an update 0800 121-4600

currently we are in July/August for decisions! xx

You’d probably need some sort of professional evidence to back it up, not just yourself writing if that makes sense

Yes start really rushing and not reading properly

I think you’ve already provided what I would’ve suggested- examples of how she is and reacts outside, having to chaperone her on journeys and how she gets distracted and has no danger awareness. I would contest it. You know better than them what she can and can’t manage. I’m wondering if they even looked at your evidence relating to mobility as it seems like it’s been overlooked.

@Kc1999x I've no help then. She has an autism diagnosis and is on the Sen register, care plans in school etc. I've seen many people getting LRM based on these things and evidence stating it such as I've provided. I can't think of anything I could get from a professional. There's not really any help out there so we are not under any care as such from paeds etc

@SKB12 it feels that it's been overlooked, yes. I feel my case was as strong as anyone else has described. I'm wondering if I'm one of the first victims of them rushing to make decisions before 22nd Dec!

Maybe the doctors for the anxiety/vulnerability. Honestly they’ve probably overlooked it as they seem to do that a lot! I’d put in an MR just off of the evidence you’ve already sent. You don’t need to send anything additional🤷🏽‍♀️

@Kc1999x it's on my mind, but I'm scared of losing the care element.

Does anyone know if you can get the statement of reasons behind not being awarded the mobility without putting in a MR? How long do I get to decide re: MR? If I got a statement of reasons behind it then perhaps I could see if it actually makes sense for my claim or that they've looked at it before I decide the MR route.

That’s if they stick strictly to the deadline. They should be at your date by now without having to rush.

Call up and ask for the statement of reasons. You can then see why they’ve decided what they’ve decided then you can decide whether to go through with an MR. I believe it’s 4 weeks to put in an MR

I never have put apparently yes you can. You call them and ask for the statement of reasons. MR needs to be done within 1 month but I did mine later due to my mum being very poorly.

I’m going call if I don’t get through within 10mins I’ll wait until tomorrow

@addies Evidence from professionals is great doctors, nurse, senco, support worker but it isn't absolutely necessary, dla is a claim based on a self assessment for the child, so you can get supporting evidence from the child's father ( if possible) sibling ( if over 18) grandparents, aunties, uncles, anyone who knows the child so if you've hit a brick wall with providing anything else from a " professional" you can get evidence from anyone " who knows the child" a grandparent could write for example i look after ( child name) once a month over night this is the care needed and provided for the child and then they can list everything you've already said they can also say they visit you often at home and this is what they've witnessed. Also if you don't live with the child's father but he has access to the child a letter from him would be great stating the care and needs whilst in his care and witnessed whilst in your care, even if you live together he could still provide evidence stating at home XY and Z.

@PositivityRipples this is where it falls down really. My daughter doesn't like to be left with anyone else. We have a raft of professional evidence for care, which is why I was given MRC, but mobility is stumping me.

I think you should’ve qualified for mobility too. You’ve sent in all the evidence I would’ve suggested. That should’ve been enough

Good luck hope you get through quickly. I’m calling again tomorrow unless DM calls and gives me a good enough reason not to

@SKB12 it's so disheartening isn't it. I've seen it so many times on here when someone gets a decline, but you read their stories and their evidence and it's just flabbergasting. Then you hop over to the Facebook group and it's all "positive post, little man has been awarded HRC, LRM, no evidence other than referral for pathway" it just shows that there are some major inconsistencies. I'm going to phone on Monday and ask for a statement of reasons. I'll decide once I read that.
I remember reading on here when a lady received her statement of reasons and it was for a completely different child. They'd cocked it all up and she ended up with a massive back pay

@Kc1999x fingers crossed for you x

I hung up

@addies If you feel they've overlooked the mobility side you're within your right to ask them to reconsider their decision and state why ( even with no extra evidence) if your child needs guidance or supervision on unfamiliar routes then your child qualifies.. They've probably awarded you MRC based on some of the supervision anyway so that means your child qualifies.. Be easier if you knew the reason so maybe ask for that and then go from there.. Congrats on the care

@PositivityRipples Thank you. This is what seems so very odd. They've accepted how much extra help and care she needs, but think she'd be fine out on her own? Bizarre conclusion to come to and not one I've seen before for her age group! I will def phone up for the statement of reasons

That is shocking along with the breach in confidential information being shared with the wrong parent. Yes I think digest the news, ask for their reasons and see if what you already sent should have covered those points and then see if you want to contest it. I expect wait times will go down next year. It’s July cases that they point to having caused the backlog which won’t exist by the time you potentially submit yours.

SD-26/7
Just called and used the excuse of requesting to be contacted by text message when a decision is made and he said they'll contact me directly if they need more evidence (I hope not because I have nothing else I can give them) and I will be notified by letter of the outcome.

He did say that it's still with a case manager and no decision has been made yet but he would hope it'll be soon but they are now taking upto 25 weeks.
When I asked what a case manager does he said they make the decision...so who knows anymore...

Long wait times? If I get a call I’ll let you know. Lady said it could be today or tomorrow.

Rubbish timing with the kids due home! We are a large and very noisy family 😂

@SKB12 that feels like the best plan for now. I'm really glad she has the care element. I'm thinking of going for an EHCP and they will both help each other out evidence wise.