DLA wait times 78

[HeartyGuide]

MR- Mandatory Reconsideration
NC- New Claim
COC- Change of Circumstances
SD- Scan Date
LRC- Low Rate Care
MRC- Middle Rate Care
HRC- High Rate Care
LRM- Lower Rate Mobility
HRM- Higher Rate Mobility

I wouldn't let the ridiculous wait convince you that you will be declined.. Almost all HRM claims go through a medical process with the internal healthcare professionals. Have you sent professional evidence? Are you looking at HRM under the usual route or smi, vuw?
Its the wait that makes you question yourself and your claim and evidence isn't it 😔

Did you get through for your decision?

I did it was a declined I’m devastated, after applying over a year ago and now going to have to go to tribunal. Really don’t know what more I can do

Oh no I’m so sorry! What evidence did you send off to support your claim?

School report, paediatrician report, physiotherapy report and referral for asd panel I’ve got nothing else to give them so don’t even know where to go from here. Just going to have to wait for letter to come through and go from from there

Oh wow! That’s crazy with that professional evidence as well. Did you ask them for a statement of reasons?

Yes, I've sent his EHCP, Paediatrician reports (multiple letters) confirming his ADHD and autism diagnosis, as well his behaviour issues that mean he requires additional support, the school have said they will support if they are contacted, it will be under the SMI. I also sent in 7 pages of written notes that answer each of their questions and examples of how and why I have answered yes, unfortunately I didn't know about SMI until after I sent everything back, so I'm hoping I've done enough, but thats why I think it will be declined as well. Others that have been accepted have had a response much sooner than us. Yes it definitely is the wait, I've never waited so long for anything like this

I'm so sorry that you got declined, was it for the care or mobility?

@Marissa90 so sorry you got declined 😢xx

Oh no, I'm really sorry that you didn't get an award, if you strongly feel your child has care and mobility needs that have been overlooked or not looked at properly take it to tribunal.

Hopefully not much longer for you to wait, sounds like you've sent all you have so thats all you can do really, I'm sure you've since read the SMI criteria.. It depends how you've worded things also and as you've wrote here behaviour issues that require additional support, the behaviour issues under SMI need to be extreme and prolonged and require intervention and supervision ect..
I hope that dont sound patronising i just mean the wording is important for HRM especially SMI as the criteria is very specific. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼

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We were told most autistic kids, even though they might fit smi, if theyre awarded its under VUW as smi is so so hard to evidence. Although not sure how true that statment is

Hi all, NC here. SD 05/09 confirmed by text with 25 week timeframe. Had a letter today dated 02/10 saying "we are looking at the information you have given us" and giving a 15 week timeframe. Does this mean it's actually with a person now? Sorry I'm new to all this.

It is honestly a bit of a lottery. Could be anywhere from 7 to 25 weeks

Rang today to confirm that they had been able to verify twin birth without having to send birth certificates. The guy on the phone was a little abrupt, and was like yeah been accepted and has gone to the twin team. Is this normal, and does it mean we will be waiting longer for a decision?

So I’ve been silently watching the thread and thought I’d let you know my COC (scan date 16/05) has been awarded - received some back pay in the early hours!

Now, some of you were speculating that COCs where you’re just asking for mobility (my child turned five this year) are being dealt with sooner than others, and indeed it seems another was awarded with a May scan date recently too, so I think that must be correct and anyone waiting for just the mobility element could be awarded sooner.

I’m relieved it’s at least at an end!

My son has mild cerebral palsy and has been awarded LRM which I’m happy with for him.

Good luck those waiting!

Apparently its longer. I called up and was told the same. Basically both applications will be looked at by one person at the same time. It takes that one person longer as they are always doing 2 applications at once.

Congrats on your award... same scanned date as me lol but mine is for both

Thank you for updating us all and congratulations with your award I’m glad you’ve received the award you feel is right for your child ☺️

Thanks! He has LRC + LRM which I feel overall is a fair reflection of his needs as much as I’d like him to get more haha!

The wait has been killing me so very much feel for everyone waiting - fully expected to wait the full 25+ weeks!

We First applied for a new claim on 20/06/2025 and got a letter saying they’d received it etc on 23/07/2025.

We then received a letter on Thursday 9th October asking for our Sons birth certificate so sent that on the same day and have just received it back this morning with a slip saying they will now be dealing with our claim.

hopefully not too much longer. The wait is agonising! x

That’s fantastic. So glad you got the award you wanted for your child. I’m mobility only COC with SD of 12/05 but am yet to hear anything.

Hello, NC for my daughter. I printed the forms myself and the SD was 27/8. I have a pending payment in my account set to clear on Tuesday 14th October of £977.20 from the DWP which will be back pay. Ive worked this out to be HRC and LRM does this seem right? I was also wondering if I receive backpay on the 14th does that mean my first regular payment would then be the 11th of November?

Okay thats fine. I just wanted to know as ive seen a couple of dates after my scan date been awarded. I did ask if it was with a DM and he said not yet!