DLA WAIT TIME THREAD 62

[zoeybrooks45]

Please feel free to add your scan date and whether it's a new claim/mandatory reconsideration/change of circumstances or renewal.
New claims (NC) - people are being told the wait time has increased to 25 weeks! I would say most are done before this though around the 20 week mark?
Mandatory reconsideration (MC) and Change of circumstances (COC) is around 20-25 weeks.
Renewals tend to be between 15-20 weeks.
If you disagree with the outcome of an MR you can appeal and go to court (tribunal)
Scan date is the date DLA scan your application forms on to their system, if you downloaded your application forms then this will be from when your award will be backdated from. If you called up for forms then the date on those is the date yours will be backdated from.
If successful and claiming universal credit (UC) please update them as this will entitle you to disabled child element adding extra to your award.
DLA contact number is 121 4600 0800 121 4600

@Stacey220786 Everything's a battle isn't it, but you know your child better than anyone else, glad you're pushing for a care plan, senco should already be helping and sen plan should already be in place as I'm guessing it's taken along time to get the diagnosis, was it school who referred to neuro for assessments or gp? If it was school she should have an EP report also? I know all schools and areas are different. There's a section on the form that asks for " someone who knows the child" to fill in a section if you can get a senco at the school to fill in this section that would help because it usually means they won't need to contact the school unless they have specific questions. I have no doubt your daughter will be awarded based on the autism diagnosis, and if you do a thorough self assessment of everything you have to do for her and everything she needs, the rate will depend on that mainly.

@PositivityRipples Thank you 🥰
it’s been one hell of a ride so far!
no I waited for so long for her to be assessed by cams I ended up going privately!!
took her to be assessed & the school were asked to fill in some paperwork
she is at the top of all flow chats for ADHD and a very clear diagnosis of Autisim too!
I feel like I’ve just spent years screaming in silence!
when she finally got the diagnosis in August last year I felt a weight had been lifted but then the battle commenced with getting the senco team to put a care plan together for her!
it just seems like everything is an uphill battle!
I do believe with me still having to dress her and her inability to cross a road safely
she should be awarded DLA.
I currently work 5 jobs as a single parent just trying to cover her additional costs
It’s a whole new level of strength this is! 😂 xx

Hey lovelies, do you just get a text if you have been awarded or do you get a text if you have been declined also ?

has anyone had any luck with DLA for a child with severe anxiety and a health condition. I am writing my MR info out and I’m challenging that they’ve only taken into account the physical problem, not the anxiety which means he needs so much emotional support all day everyday.

Sorry to jump on your reply but when I asked our SENCO to fill in that form she said our family support worker may be a better idea as she hadn't seen my child in a few months.

Do you think this will have an impact? I sent DD SEN plan, CAHMS school consult, RAMP assessment, paed referral and counselling referral.

She is now on ADHD medication (not really showing much improvement yet but we are at the beginning of the journey) shes also been prescribed melatonin. Is it worth sending these things in now or wait until I might need them if she's declined?

Should add getting her to take these bloody meds is a nightmare and some days it's a no go. 🙈

@macap It won't have an impact as long as someone who knows the child fills in that section, it's just if someone at school gives a detail in that section and signs it they are less likely to contact the school ( still doesn't mean they will or won't.
Without knowing all your child's diagnosis's i wouldn't be able to give an acurate opinion.
In my opinion if the child's disability is ADHD ( if autism is also not present) and is prescribed medication for ADHD and is right at the beginning of that they may give a less award or for less time as when a child is put on medication they see this as the child's symptoms will improve so inturn the care and mobility will also improve. If the child has already been on meds for ADHD for a substantial period when forms were filled out they will see that as how the child presents whilst medicated, but if the child wasn't medicated for ADHD when the forms were filled out they will see that as how the child presents without medication, so sometimes adding medication in as late evidence can be detrimental.. Of course if the DM calls you have to be accurate and inform them but as of now your forms are correct at the time of filling them out if that makes sense.. This is just my opinion if it's only ADHD present, if autism is also present awards are usually done on this anyway as its the most severe of the two so my opinion and advice would be different.

Thank you for your reply, tbh I don't see us lasting long on medication tbf. She is a very strong willed child and I cannot force her to take it. She has ADHD but also has anxiety, phobias of vomiting and closed doors. The closed doors one started after school tried to restrain her in the reception bit. Unable to work at the moment which means our income is much reduced. Really hoping she's accepted.

Should hear about a decision to issue EHCP also this week so fingers crossed for that!

I've realised that being a SEND parent is basically just waiting. Always waiting for something. 😆

@macap I'm not sure if anyone else on the thread has a child with ADHD / mental health / anxiety and can give any input as to whether they have sent new medication as late evidence, if it was me i wouldn't send it as right now your forms are correct and as I've said they may say child is now on medication so symptoms and care needs may now improve so give the threshold award which is two years or a lower rate ( this is just my opinion on the knowledge and understanding i have) I may not be correct, if it is a decline you can always send the medication evidence for MR then with a covering letter stating child has been on medication for so and so months and it's not making a difference or whatever the situation is then. Sorry I can't more help I don't really want to tell you yes or no and then be wrong.. Its a long wait isn't it and even worse if it's then MR and then waiting for everything else, sen plans, ehc plan, meds, it's just ongoing 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'll just sit tight and see what they say I think. Her SD was 28/10 so a good few weeks to go yet anyway!

My other DD I should hear back soon as her SD was 13/9. She's on ASD pathway currently so hoping she'll be soon so if I did need any extra evidence I have it!

Just one thing after another

Does anyone no when im likely to have a decision on my daughters dla claim if our N.C scan date was 2nd October ? Thank you its so stressful this wait im dreaming of her getting rejected it a nightmare 😭stalking threads daily, checking bank just incase, my phone everytime it rings or makes a sound! thinking have i done enough? what did i write? Why didnt i photocopy her application? I hope i havent let her down! My mind is in overdrive and my aniexty thru the roof 🤞👀 these threads keep me sain(ish) 🤪 xx

Hi guys,
My sons claim was scanned in 13/9. He has Autism and serious behavioural struggles at home and school as a result of this. I filled the form in with as much detail as possible and included a detailed account from the SENDco, a report from 0-5 SEND stating he has no danger awareness and an adult must know where he is at all times, his official diagnosis letter from the consultant, and a copy of his extended support plan from school. I know its probably a silly question but just wondering if anyone has any idea of whether I've sent enough evidence and the likelihood of him being awarded? All the evidence backs up exactly what I've said on the form and I hoped with his official diagnosis also, we'd at least get something but now it's getting closer I'm panicking that I'll have messed it up somewhere and failed him. Thanks in advance xxx

hi everyone SD 12/9, congrats to anyone awarded! 19 weeks this week and getting more anxious as time goes on.
i have a EP report and letter from my daughters nursery to send as further evidence. Could anyone tell me the address to send and what I should write on them so they get to her claim? Hoping to send it recorded delivery today x

Good luck for this week everyone, congratulations on all the awards last week and good luck to anyone entering the MR/tribunal phase i know the wait and all involved is bloody awful but we've got this 💪🤞

hopefully a lot more good news this week! Wait is a real struggle currently 22 weeks and no outcome in sight. I am hoping they are assigning August cases now as it is edging close to 25 weeks. xx

Same scan date as me. Let me know when you hear anything!

Disability Benefit Centre 4
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1BY

when I sent stuff I put his name, date of birth and reference number. Don’t know if it needs all that but wanted to make sure it got to the right place x

What's your SS JW, i feel like we are close? Mines 6/8 for COC. Really debating ringing again 🙈 do they note each time you call does anyone know 😂

Apparently they do! If it makes you feel better I rang every day sometimes even 2x a day towards the end👀😂

Hope your not waiting on hold for too long this morning and I hope you get some good news 🤞

MR 14/8 seeing lits of MR dates around me is making it so much worse same witn coc's, I want to call too may leave it until later hoping to get past 11am at least 😅

I'm on hold, my stomach is like a washing machine. I've already hung up once and called back 😂

It's awful, it's when they go through the security then go quiet when they are looking at your case, feels like ages and you think ooo this time they will say yes and i actually start sweating 🤣 then they say still in a queue 😫

Good luck hope you get some good news 🤞🤞🤞

When is the last time you call for an update?
I would see if it had made progress. It seems like DMs are calling people with MRs.

I'm crying, literally can't breathe.

HRC & HRM until 2031.

Ladies, thank you for keeping me sane through this. I honestly wish the very best for every single one of your children. You are all amazing and your children are absolutely lucky to have you all. X

I’ve caved in and currently on hold 🤞 good luck to everyone .. hope you get good news x

@CGBJ aww congrats! That's amazing! What was your SD?