DLA Wait Times Autumn 2026

[Kirstylou91]

NC - New Claim
SD - Scan Date
R - Renewal
MR - Mandatory Reconsideration
COC - Change Of Circumstances

LRC - Low Rate Care
MRC - Middle Rate Care
HRC - High Rate Care

LRM - Low Rate Mobility
HRM - High Rate Mobility

A forum to discuss DLA wait times & any other advice or questions regarding DLA

Unfortunately, I rang today because I had a missed call. It wasn’t DLA who rang and was told it’s not with a decision maker, which is the opposite to what I was told last week. Unfortunately I think I’m hearing more that wait time can vary from a few weeks to months and months 😢

Bless you it is so stressful waiting this long! I am going to try and forget about it all until the 12 week mark

Yeah it’s frustrating the decision makers get handed a pile my daughters NC took 11 days all in all this was in January, received a payment in my bank within 5 days of her SD never known it ever to be that quick, my SD now is 28/9 for renewal 💛

Doing a renewal application for DD - she's just started a new school and while I've put her form teacher down as a person at the school who can be contacted, how necessary is it to have someone fill in the part about "someone who knows the child"? I'm sure she would if I asked but they don't know her that well yet.

This time of year is horrendous for applications. From may/june time there is always a delay. At the 12 week mark now and they cant see if its with a decision maker (renewal). Im expecting it to possibly be a new year decision which has meant my renewal has gone past the deadline so its ended my universal credit disability element. Its really hard when you are still paying for private ot and salt and ot aids without any help for any of this. My daughter was previously high rate care and was due to be checked for the mobility element.

It makes a difference. Two children with additional needs and what i have noticed with my sons application is the more evidence you can provide the more likely you are to be awarded as they go off the evidence of professionals.

Have you got a health visitor, early help, school nurse, ot, salt. Any professional can fill that bit in.

Hi everyone.
NC
SD was 3rd August. No outcome yet. I received a letter today dated 3rd Oct to acknowledge that I am still waiting.

That’s ridiculous they should always make sure renewals are done for when the award ends, my SD for renewal is 28/9 sons renewal ends 28/01/2027 I sent the forms off within a week of receiving them I made sure my statement was already written and my school letter from the school sendco was done. Hopefully not a long Wait but it’s out of our hands 💛

I called today and asked about sending in further evidence and whether that could delay things. She said to send it in as it’ll be a few more weeks before it’s with a decision maker and that she’s put a note in account to let them know to expect further evidence. Currently 7 weeks since scan date.

Is this for a NC? 💛

No it’s a new claim x

Yeah NC means new claim, hopefully u will hear soon , keep us updated 💛

Hi

I've applied for my daughters DLA, could someone tell me how I find my scan date please. I've received a text this morning saying they've received my form. Not sure if that's the scan date. Thanks

Hi, my SD was 25th august, it's for a nc I phoned up yesterday and they said it's still in progress and that they can't tell you whether it's with a DM or how far along it is so how did other people on here find out? It's crazy they are not done by dates and just random piles, no wonder there are backlogs and they can't give proper timescales...I know more complicated claims take a lot longer. Just wondered if anyone has claimed for inattentive ADHD and been successful? Thanks

@theslugsandsnals my scan date is the 24th august and I just got off the phone to DLA for an update which was a complete waste of time to be honest. The man told me my claim had been received! Yes I know that, nothing further to say.
I asked if it was with a DM yet he said he doesn’t know so we’re no further along by the sound of it. Coming up to 8 weeks but that means nothing.

good luck to all waiting!

I’m pretty sure they can tell you the SD if you call them. Mine was received on the Monday and SD was the same day. Worth a quick call to see where you are.

So thankfully ive just called now a decision has been made yesterday but they cant see the decision and i wont receive a letter for 7-10 days. No time frame on a payment date it used to be 3 working days so possibly friday/monday if ive been awarded if not ill find out in 7-10 days why ive not. Its frustrating not being able to see a decision. Scan date was 3rd of august . Good luck all but its all vague to be honest even when you ring you dont get an answer. By her answer im thinking its been rejected because ive never had it before where they couldnt tell you the decision over the phone when it was awarded

Pressed option 4 as option 2 refuse to say anything. Awarded hrc lrm from the 1st of august. They awarded it yesterday so payment will be next tuesday as they pay on a monday and tuesday

I am just adding a message of support and hope for those on a long journey.
Today I went to tribunal after two declines for my daughter, I won against dwp and the judge overturned it.
We went from no award to low rate care which is all I was attempting for, in this end this become getting justice for my daughter after they told me twice she didn’t have care needs greater than another her age because she is only just now 2.6 years old. I first applied on 18th July 2024 and it is being backdated to then. I got the first decline on 6th Jan 2025 followed by a second decline in July 2025 and I’ve just now been seen at hearing. They did offer me an August date but I was away, keep fighting for your children! Be their voice! Good luck all, they awarded my daughter 5 years so don’t have to worry until July 2029 at renewal.

Haha sorry I didn’t realise. Will post any updates x

Great news that you’ve been accepted and getting the support your LO deserves the wait is antagonising isn’t it, but good to know they are August dates now.

I tried to call up today, they had an automated message saying they cannot give updates over the phone for dla claims. If you haven’t been contacted to hang up. I felt like I couldn’t continue the call and speak to someone and ask for any updates due to that message. I’ve been waiting over 9 weeks. New claim scan date 11/08/26 start date 6/07/2026. I’ve seen other people have called up and been given answers or even been told the award. Perhaps this is something new put in place?

My daughter got awarded today, medium rate care and low rate mobility. Scan date was 3rd August

Yes so they must be working from the beginning of august now. Thankfully not as long as two years ago (submitted in may and didnt receive an answer until november- they were literally the 20-24 week wait mark). Yes ive got a list a mile long that needs paying out of the 1,449.00 that will be paid on tuesday.