DLA WAIT TIMES THREAD 63

[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.

I just heard my MR reasons for declining SMI/VUW for mobility. Absolutely ridiculous to say the least. They literally pick one or two words and paint a narrative that you never mentioned. Mines says paediatrician wrote child running away and not listening and they took that as they can run so no problem 🤣🤣🤣 even though same sentence the dr wrote fell over multiple times from waiting room to consultation room cause tip toeing. I am starting the appeal process now. x

@Justanotherlove yes i agree with some of what you've said, unfortunately they don't make the full criteria known as in they don't break it down they just give points on purpose because if they completely broke it down the fine details would be argued to exhaustion because there is alit of children that are awarded smi that can reach out for food, each reason is broken down as an overall for each child if it was only that reason they wouldn't have declined but on this ladies letter there is quite a few points ( 7) under why the child doesn't have an impairment of intelligence, it also states the reasons the child doesn't lack social functioning is okay with peers ect can play along nicely, extremely disruptive behaviour also doesn't seem to be present or extreme behaviour problems. As under social functioning it states can play nicely along side peers, is a sweet girl
I'm not saying the letter is correct or the DM hasn't misinterpreted wrong i also don't know who's stated the examples but somebody has either the person who filled in the form or a doctor or a teacher, im guessing teacher for some of it but I don't know. The lady also said she has said the child is a sweet child and her behaviour problems are quiet she's a typical girl, i also don't know if she has used the term typical girl on the forms or if anyone else has in the evidence so I'm just reading what it says which is why I asked the lady questions.
Autism is a spectrum not all autistic children fall under smi, so a child who needs reins and runs off alot would probably fall under HRC but not HRM but a child that lashes out is very disruptive and extreme in behaviour putting others and themselves in extreme danger along with lack of social functioning and intelligence because of autism would fall under HRM.
I don't want anyone to take this wrong but when filling in and presenting evidence if you feel on your child's worst day they qualify for a certain rate you have to state that you have to use terms and sentences and evidence that suggest that, saying nice and positive things about your child doesn't help and I know it's really really hard because listing your child's " negative" and things hurts and you want them to know that your child is still a nice child and kind and sweet and they are the centre of your world but them things are interpreted differently by someone who has no emotional involvement with your child and are literally following a guide on " negative" things 🥺 the positive things listed on this ladies examples someone has said else they wouldn't have been able to pull the points out the form or evidence and yes the school doesn't help because they do list positives but in this case if the child was presenting smi at school the senco should have said extreme behaviour problems, risk assessment completed and a list of risks, extremely disruptive but seems the example are sweet child who likes hugs who plays nicely along side peers, now all them things could also be present but have they gave the child's Needs and support needed as I've said I don't know. It's why I asked the lady if the child shows the behaviours but she's stated about a year ago quiet danger and I'm not sure what that means. It's very hard I know but no such thing as quiet danger in the eyes of the DM. But she's also stated they've completely misinterpreted everything so in that case she is totally within her rights to take it to appeal with cross references to the 6 smi points and fight for her child.
I got advice when filling in my forms and was told in no uncertain terms don't say anything positive you are filling in the form as a self assessment of your worst day with the child where you've had to chase the child 10 times and they've threw there food on the floor, threw themselves on the floor, threw items, had 7 meltdowns got out of bed 11 times, tryed to open the front door, played with the cooker, been sent home from school for being a danger and hitting people or whatever the worst day looks like to me that day at no point did I write in between that they sat nicely on the ipad or walked nicely holding my hand, or gave their sister a kiss and positively progressed with tieing shoe laces do you get what I mean sometimes we want yo shout dispite what i put on the form my child is living and has great moments because listing the child's struggles and disabilities all in one place is soul destroying because they are our and we love them and we see the great and amazing in them 🥰
If you're filling in the forms and are going to be happy with whatever they award just do your best but if you fill them in with the expectation that your child should get a certain award for example high rate of both get advice and some support whilst filling the form out because you really have to show in no uncertain terms the child hits each marker else it takes years because you then have to go to MR and inturn appeal it's long it's stressful and I'm sorry if anyone has had to do that.
I hope I haven't come across as an ass I'm really not trying to be just trying to help and give advice to the best of my knowledge and my own opinion.
That's the problem with opinions we all have one 🤣😳

Scan date is 30th september found these pages while googling DLA wait times 😆. Are they upto this date yet does anyone know. Seems like forever ago. Rung a good few times to be told it's 25 weeks you don't need to ring back we will contact you. I feel so embarrassed ringing but at the same time the not knowing is awful.

@PositivityRipples wow you are great and that advice is amazing. You are right in what you say and you really do know a lot about the system.
Thank you so much.
I do think they find small, anything small, to use as a reject. Child could have the beautifullest brown eyes and they say ' no gorgeous eyes you must be joking not entitled' ;-) xx

@zoeybrooks45 aww it seems they are on a rejection streak at the moment as more and more families are exploring smi / vuw
It's sad when you hold doctors letters as evidence because you'd expect that to be strong and taken seriously given gps cannot lie or stretch things.
Keep us updated with how you start the tribunal I have a feeling a few of us here will value that information x

Anyone know what dates mandatory reconsideration dates are on please or around x

@Justanotherlove I totally agree with you, it also depends on the DM aswell as one who's been there 15 years will have experience and use discretion but one that's been there a year will probably say.. Well child can breathe independently so no smi 🤔 luckily that's why MR exists so it's looked at by a different one but that's just a huge inconvenience and the wait is atrocious..

Omds the best things ever they give text updates for the appeal! Absolutely amazing 😂. I have just recieved a text stating DWP have 28days to respond. x

Is anyone on here West midlands? Not dla related... When the school put threw a referall to neurodevelopmental in your experience how long does it take to get an acknowledgement letter, one that states if the child has or hasn't been accepted on the wait list for assessments? Thank you in advance

@zoeybrooks45 fingers crossed dla over turn their decision in the next 28 days, the courts are sick and tired of their bullshit too 🤒 sorry for swearing but it's the truth

@zoeybrooks45 how do you file the tribunal appeal in the first place? Can you give me steps so I'm ready lol
28 days to respond, is that to look over it again or to just accept / acknowledge the tribunal request?
Was their only reason for decline because the child runs away means the child can run therefore a no because if no that's disgrace x

I have just been on phone to check the extra evidence sent has been scanned on system and has there been any progress with claim..
reply was:
yes all new evidence was scanned on system 2 days ago and the decision maker will now look at this.
i said ok thankyou so it is now with decision maker he said no it has been assigned to decision maker🤦‍♀️
never mind have a nice day 😂
NC SD 6/11

Seems quiet on the new award front today.

I'm growing ever so frustrated as the weeks go on. Week 18 and counting now.

I wouldn’t have thought so. NC 19/9 and with the DM now

Heyy!! I have a scan date of 16/09 for a COC does anyone know where they are upto?

I’ve been told multiple times it’s with a decision maker and then told it’s not im so confused haha

NC SD 10/10 🫣 Hope they will see ours within next few weeks. Applied for my 8 yrs old.he Diagnosed with autism in 2020.had no idea dla was a things for kids.he progressed a lot in few years.the waiting is so frustrating isn't it. 🤞 good luck everyone

Same scan date as mine not long to go Hopefully....

Scan date 11/10.
I called today to ask if they had the additional evidence sent. Agent on the phone told me that they hadn’t received it but that my son’s claim was in the 2nd queue. He said there are 8 queues in total and once the claim gets to the 1st queue that’s when the decision maker will take them to be looked at. Has anyone else been told they are in the 2nd queue before? He said it is still looking like a 25 week wait.

I must admit you've made me chuckle, their reasons are ridiculous! A child eloping without regard for their safety is proof of being without need?? A child being sweet natured means they aren't in need?? 😄😄 they're just pulling things out of their arses

Best of luck with your tribunal, I think we'll be going through it at the same time 🥺 I'm so nervous xx

NC - 06/06/24
MR- 13/11/24

Phoned up again today as I’ve seen loads of awards from around the same dates as us.
SD 24/09 NC
after previously being told it will be late February they have now said late March. I’m going to try putting it to the back of my mind now because it’s driving me a bit nuts. I’d love to know how they work through these applications.

i won’t be too surprised if we have the same DM look at our case. They also described my child as a “happy & lively” so he can’t have severe mental impairment. I am annoyed I even have to go through this. My child attend a speclist provision with an ECHP but they keep referring to the fact that we are under 5 years and it’s normal. Even the paediatrician wrote that the consultation did not happen cause of no compliance and refusal. Ridiculous honestly. There is always that chance they can overturn during 4 weeks after submitted. It’s really straight forward online form and you can even submit evidence online. Good luck x

@mumofoneAlonebutokay Its very common for all children on the autistic spectrum to elope ( wandering) that doesn't mean the child is severely mentally impaired, its also very common for a neurotypical child of age 6 and under to elope ( wandering) and it's why all children under 6 should be in constant supervision, so the need on it's own isn't above that of a child under 6 ( I don't know how old your child is) I'd really advise you to get some advise before entering the tribunal of how to word what you are trying to express about your child and how to explain each point of the smi rule about your child and cross reference it with evidence, the " need" you are talking about with eloping and stating that the dla haven't recognised the " need" to falls under the care component and you've been awarded HRC so they have acknowledged the need in the instances you are talking about, legislation for smi and vuw is very specific, I would hate for you to go into the tribunal and state the child is smi because they elope.
I'm really trying to help which is why I'm replying to you. You will have to give examples of impaired social functioning, and impaired intelligence and extreme disruptive behaviour and extreme behaviour as a whole. Unfortunately eloping on its own doesn't cover the legislation for the 3 points they've said your child was declined under. You may already know all this and are being sarcastic and banter with your reply here but just incase thought I'd give my input to hopefully help you. Good luck with tribunal 🤞🏼

@zoeybrooks45 do you have a link where you submit for a tribunal? Xx

Hi, does anyone have an email address for dla please?