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DLA WAITING TIMES THREAD 64

988 replies

zoeybrooks45 · 07/02/2025 07:06

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.

OP posts:
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Princess23 · 13/02/2025 10:36

Hi am on 23weeks plus on mr my daughter has been having ypas sessions they have referred her to asd is it worth sending a letter in stating this or if I ring up will they put a note on system or do u think it will be to late now I am a bit stuck just that have waitied over 12 months for these sessions and they’ve only just started now an don’t want mr to be declined with it being such a long wait so stressed with it all it’s a nightmare thanks in advance xx

Ellie75su · 13/02/2025 10:40

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 10:36

Hi am on 23weeks plus on mr my daughter has been having ypas sessions they have referred her to asd is it worth sending a letter in stating this or if I ring up will they put a note on system or do u think it will be to late now I am a bit stuck just that have waitied over 12 months for these sessions and they’ve only just started now an don’t want mr to be declined with it being such a long wait so stressed with it all it’s a nightmare thanks in advance xx

I would sent it off today, and ring them to let them know you have extra evidence on its way. I'm also on 23+ for my daughters MR and I haven't heard anything yet so perhaps there's still time x

PositivityRipples · 13/02/2025 10:40

@Emmz06 Morning, yes you're correct, if you have a child under 16 receiving dla of any rate you are exempt from the benefit cap and this will be backdated to the start of the dla award.
When you inform UC that the child is now in receipt of dla and you ask for the disabled child element and carers element put a note on your journal under payment and ask them to lift the benefit cap from ( dla award date) and ask them to recalculate your previous statements and action back pay off money owed to you xx

motherofonegirl1 · 13/02/2025 10:41

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 10:36

Hi am on 23weeks plus on mr my daughter has been having ypas sessions they have referred her to asd is it worth sending a letter in stating this or if I ring up will they put a note on system or do u think it will be to late now I am a bit stuck just that have waitied over 12 months for these sessions and they’ve only just started now an don’t want mr to be declined with it being such a long wait so stressed with it all it’s a nightmare thanks in advance xx

Ring them and explain.
I rung to let them know the date of my daughter's ASD assessment & CAMHS appointments. They put a note on the system about them but asked for me to send copies in.
They were received today, but the decision was made yesterday. I only rung today to let them know that the evidence was received this morning and they read the note about the appointments and I was sending in the evidence of them.

Hardingcl · 13/02/2025 10:46

Do Dla send a letter out to confirm they have your renewal documents? Xx

FamilyofADHD · 13/02/2025 10:47

Shellbel10 · 13/02/2025 09:47

@FamilyofADHD maybe call to find out. Either end of claim payment or your new payments have gone up

They have re awarded decision made on 10th Feb increase from MRC to HRC and awarded until her birthday in June 2028 when she turns 16. Hope yours is soon 🤞🏽

Emmz06 · 13/02/2025 10:52

PositivityRipples · 13/02/2025 10:40

@Emmz06 Morning, yes you're correct, if you have a child under 16 receiving dla of any rate you are exempt from the benefit cap and this will be backdated to the start of the dla award.
When you inform UC that the child is now in receipt of dla and you ask for the disabled child element and carers element put a note on your journal under payment and ask them to lift the benefit cap from ( dla award date) and ask them to recalculate your previous statements and action back pay off money owed to you xx

Thank you for your reply! You are so much help to all us parents that don’t know much about how the process works xx

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 10:53

Aww thanks hun I will give them a ring and let them now thanks again been stressing wasn’t sure what to do x

PositivityRipples · 13/02/2025 10:54

@Emmz06 You're very welcome 💫

Toomanyplates23 · 13/02/2025 10:56

Hi everyone. Rang today today about extra evidence. Was told that the claim is currently with a decision maker. NC SD 9/10. So nervous now 😬

KH94 · 13/02/2025 11:01

Toomanyplates23 · 13/02/2025 10:56

Hi everyone. Rang today today about extra evidence. Was told that the claim is currently with a decision maker. NC SD 9/10. So nervous now 😬

Eee good luck <3

Did you ring them to ask about if you had time to send extra evidence or if they received it? x

Bel1234 · 13/02/2025 11:02

@Toomanyplates23 thank you for the update, so glad to hear that are processing October claims, mine is still on the queue - NC 25/10 🙃 xx

Toomanyplates23 · 13/02/2025 11:11

It's so nerve wracking, isn't it? Hopefully you'll get a decision soon. I rang to see if there was time to send more evidence as I am waiting for a report from Early Years Inclusion x

Bel1234 · 13/02/2025 11:14

@Toomanyplates23 when I rang today for an update, they told me to wait until end of April 🥲

Toomanyplates23 · 13/02/2025 11:17

They told me 25 weeks when I rang a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully @Bel1234 it won't be too much longer. I'll let you know the outcome. Really hoping it isn't a decline.

Bel1234 · 13/02/2025 11:19

@Toomanyplates23 yes please, keep us posted! Thank God for this community, forever grateful 🙏🏽

Kidsanchaos · 13/02/2025 11:24

Congratulations an all the positive news over last few weeks!

I finally got hold of school senco yesterday, Daughter has made some recent improvements in school, with support, so I was worried they would just focus on positives when a DM calls them. SENCO said not to worry they are used to dealing with DLA and know how to word it so that a relief.

Called helpline today to check if some additional evidence had been received. 53mins on hold. Guy was nice, said it was received 4th Feb but hadn't been added to my application so he was going to do that today. No idea if it would have been added if I hadnt rang so its maybe worth ringing checking your extra evidence is actually being added to the application if you send anything in.

He also said i should hear a decision around mid March which is sooner than I anticipated. SD 1/11 15 weeks tomorrow.

PositivityRipples · 13/02/2025 11:25

Scan date 22/11
13 year old awaiting diagnosis for ASD, ADHD, PDA and possible Trauma.

NO EVIDENCE sent with original claim although senco filled out the " someone who knows the child section"
Outlining major behaviour problems, unable to self regulate, unable to calm down, becomes very angry, at risk of grooming, and removed from full time mainstream to attend an AP 4 days a week and 1 day at mainstream for 3 months . Anger and behaviour management twice a week.
Child doesn't sleep more than 3 hours a night

I sent the form without evidence knowing i would be having a meeting with welfare and intervention lead, and senco lead regarding a risk assessment and learning plan.

Had risk assessment and learning plan meeting as child has now finished the 3 months at the AP.
Sent the risk assessment and learning plan off to dla yesturday first class recorded.
It states
Child been referred to neurodevelopmental services for assessments.
Child been referred to rise for mental health assessments.
Child been referred to EP for assessment.
Child having therapeutic work with senco lead for anger management, emotional regulation, protective behaviours, inappropriate behaviours.

It also states
There is a need for positive handling ( restraint)
If child leaves school site or needs to leave school site for there on safety or safety of others police must be called for child's safety and wellbeing.
Risks
Physical violence towards others including staff
Physical violence towards himself
Damage to school property
Bespoke timetable now back in mainstream ( mornings only)
Time out pass
Allow for movement
Watch for trigger signs
Dysregulation
Direct staring
Pacing / escaping the situation
Mumbling
Swearing
Physical escalation
In the event of these trigger signs
Direct the child
Redirect focus
Observe at a safe distance
Positive measures and positive handling ( restraint as per school policy) in place.
Child not to leave school site

The learning plan pretty much says the same thing but a few more advise for teachers on how to help and support child and how to keep him and others safe.

So that's all I've sent i have alot more evidence to do with the child's vision loss in one eye and brain scan results ect I also have a few other reports, but AP reports but I've chose not to send anything else or overwhelm the DM with things that won't support the claim I don't need to prove anything to the DM I just need evidence to support what I've wrote on the form and the risk assessment alone covers it all. The only thing i will send if i get it before the claim awarded is the ASD acceptable letter as they are taking 100 business years to send me that 🤣

Yes my child seems extreme on paper and yes it's horrible to write all this down about a child, the risk assessment meeting nearly pushed me over the edge i was like wtf 😩😩😩
But here we are.
I'll let everyone know on this thread once I've been awarded if me holding evidence back worked in my favour or if I should have just threw the lot at the DM.
I'm expecting HRC LRM we will see.
I'll also call tomorrow to make sure evidence i posted yesterday has arrived.

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 11:25

Hi just phones up to add a note on system to say daughter has been referred to asd but decision was made on 7th couldn’t tell me over the phone absolutely gutted think it must be a decline as no payment in bank so what the next stage now from her please x

Ellie75su · 13/02/2025 11:28

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 11:25

Hi just phones up to add a note on system to say daughter has been referred to asd but decision was made on 7th couldn’t tell me over the phone absolutely gutted think it must be a decline as no payment in bank so what the next stage now from her please x

Someone else will hopefully jump on and correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure you can call back and ask to be put through to someone who can tell you the outcome. X

Princess23 · 13/02/2025 11:32

I have 3 times hun they said they can’t give mr decisions over the phone wether she was just saying it or not I don’t know hun x

KCJ1984 · 13/02/2025 11:33

Bel1234 · 13/02/2025 09:28

@Ellie75su 😂😂 I am fuming today, i dare them to treat us like this! On the line now, will keep you posted xx

If we wasn't calling up chasing, some of them would be out of a job 🙄

LT1233 · 13/02/2025 11:33

Hardingcl · 13/02/2025 10:46

Do Dla send a letter out to confirm they have your renewal documents? Xx

I sent my sons in 10 days ago and have had zero correspondence about it being received yet

PositivityRipples · 13/02/2025 11:33

@Princess23 call back option 4 ask them to tell you the decision over the phone.. Let us know 🙂

Riiiiiight · 13/02/2025 11:36

I've just found out our family dog is going to have to be put down, we have 2 weeks left with him, I am in bits, the fall out at home this is going to cause is going to be huge :( so I won't post for a while but I hope your children all get the positive outcomes they need. All the best x