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

sorry just spotted 10 aug

10th August.

Hello all, nothing to update here which is frustrating but it seems we’re all in the same boat. The last lady I spoke to was extremely blunt and literally read from a script that they have a high volume of claims etc etc and they will be on touch once a decision has been made.

im definitely not calling again! Coming up to 9 weeks since SD of 24th August. Was hoping someone would have some news. I did a bit of digging online and it’s currently averaging 9 weeks ( allegedly) so fingers and toes crossed for us all.

Zoflo 😊

I’m 07/08 and I rang today and my son got his decision yesterday, hopefully only another 2 weeks for you!🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

I’m 18th August and they told me it’s still in a queue and will be a while. On Facebook I have seen a lot of people being awarded around 11-12 weeks. I’m currently on 9 weeks so hopefully only another couple of weeks 🤞🏼

I had exactly the same response which made me feel the same.

OH WOW!! Our claim form is finally with a Decision Maker. Scan date 10th August. I could cry. Obviously no outcome yet, but at least it’s finally with someone. 🙏🏻

Called DWP just heard DS awarded the same (middle and low levels) but I thought should be higher level for care and mobilty.......plan to appeal anyone know how long a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) takes?

I’ve been looking into MR over the last 24 hours. It looks like it can take around 4 months 😏

Thanks all crossed

@PlummyMummy2026 hopefully as 4 months is quick there’s a few MRs I know still waiting 24 weeks and someone’s on there 29th week my friend of a friend got her MR after 7 months- waiting time is exhausting 💛

@Haddock1 There’s a few MRs I know still waiting 24 weeks and someone’s on there 29th week my friend of a friend got her MR after 7 months- waiting time is exhausting 💛

High rate care is generally based on the amount of time. So my daughter receives it because care is continued throughout the night as she only sleeps for two hours and is on the go none stop, she is so destructive too so is a danger on a night. If there isnt any night time care they probably wont increase it. My sons increased from middle rate to high and the only difference was he stopped sleeping. Be prepared to provide proof of not sleeping through professionals. Ive been referred for over 5 sleep courses and the paediatrician wont prescribe sleep medication for my daughter as shes apparently just a child that doesnt need much sleep.

High rate care is based on day & night care - if ur child wakes for more than 20 minutes 3 times a night or for a prolonged period this is classed as high rate it has to also be explained during day care , if ur child wakes alot during the night and needs adult supervision/ intervention and there’s not much care during the day it doesn’t class as high rate , it needs to be consistent during the day & night . If ur child requires full adult supervision during the day for every day need - prompting , guidance, supervision etc but requires little night care needs then it does not qualify as high rate care , u need to be on high alert or constantly supervise ur child throughout everyday & night. I hope this helps - it is very confusing but if ur child requires substantial daily care needs but not as much at night it’s low or middle rate care 💛

My sc is the 29th September renewal for the 19th jan long wait yet for me

My SD for renewal is 28/9 called yesterday call handler started all been received and waiting to be assigned to a DM. Renewal ends 29/01 - I’m seeing a lot of peoples renewals going over the award date this is so stressfull as it messes up your UC and carers allowance, I will keep all updated , I am going to call second week in December then it will be the 12 week mark . 💛

Yeah I've noticed alot going over to proper shocking but if sent withing the six week almost sure payments dont stop get extensions as not our faults yours is 10 days after mines due did you get to sent much in my last claim was for two years and atm is mrc and lrm ❤

It’s not on especially when u send it of with 4 month remaining and they still go over , I believe once the award has ended if a decison hasn’t been made there’s no extension kus the award has ended, it really is annoying kus uc gets effected, I’m hoping my sons is done on time, he also gets LRM MRC 💛

It's so rubbish ain't it I sent mine off the 28th September and recived a text 29th September and got letter last week saying they received it so fingers crossed for us both I will keep you posted did you send much evidence I still panick about it on first form only had senco letter and cdc referral letter xxx

Yeah it’s the waiting game sets ur anxiety of, I received txt 28th September saying received it then 2 weeks later a letter, I sent in letter from school sendco his diagnosis letter for adhd he finally got diagnosed August this year and a 18 page detailed statement from myself of his daily struggles at home, when we’re out & at school , I just section it and write in detail , I sent the same of 2 years ago with his new claim so hopefully his award stays the same, will have to also do my daughters renewal next year 😦- never ending it’s so daunting , I’ll also keep u posted , im guna ring on the 12th week mark , what evidence did u send for renewal 💛

Aww wow I only did form and extra page of writing but did send her ehcp letter from her specialist school she had teo reduced timetables which lasted 8 months because she got over gate and ran away form school from he mainstream 12 suspension letter ep report risk assessment adhd diagnosis which states she on medication and melatonin and awaiting autism assessment which is next week

Don’t think u have anything to worry about, I also suspect my boy is autistic aswell as having an adhd diagnosis but for now will see how he gets on, he’s struggleing at school so think guna apply for an EHCP, I am doubting myself now thinking the evidence ain’t guna be enough 💛

Tbf my daughters adhd over rides her autism traits as her adhd is so strong and I didnt ask for ehcp her school said she needed it as school felt like they was failing her and she felt like she didnt belong there she was only doing a hour a day and once or twice a week she was having mental health days she attence was so low but her mental health ment more to me then school as still like that now and honestly think what you sent is absolutely amazing I'm dyslexic so me writing is savage I read my phone back now and half of it dont even make sense to me it's so bad so hopefully evidence I semt makes up abit for my form

I feel the same my son gets easily frustrated and so dysregulated over the smallest thing he cries screams smashes my house up hits out it’s so hard so calm him, he has every sensory sensitives to touch smells sounds and food, he has no sense of danger at all and has sensory issues to clothing and footwear, the list goes on! he’s 9 and he rly rly struggles I just feel for him as sometimes u literally can’t help just have to reassure and comfort . I hope my evidence is enough its 18 pages and so detailed. fingers crossed 🤞🏼 💛

Honestly sounds exactly like my daughter shes 8 nine next year and honestly the struggle is so real and raw and honestly she broke me about 4weeks ago when she said why I this world so hard to live in why doesnt my brain let me fit in 😭😭