DLA - why does it take so long !

ladybelle

I finally plucked up courage to ring up about my renewal - 8 weeks this week. I was told it was with the decision making team and they would be making a decision at the end of the month and I could expect a letter a few days after that !!!!!!
If they have it NOW why wont they be making a decision until the end of the month considering they have had it since May. They arent waiting for letters or hospital reports, so why does it take SO long. I know it's "only" another 3 weeks but this is now almost worse. I worry SO much - knowing the renewal pack was coming in I've been worrying really since the beginning of the year, then had the stress of the filling in of the pack, then as soon as I knew they had it was tense, then actually calmed down a bit as I thought there was nothing I could do and I know there isnt anything I can do but it doesnt help
Also, why is there a team ?? I thought it was a single decision maker who made the decision ? Is there a problem with mine that they need a whole team ?? EEEK !!

dmg24

Because you are not the only claimant?

ladybelle

Thanks for that sarcastic reply

hilstep2000

They typically take 6 - 8 weeks. The only way to fast track the application is if you have a terminal disease, and are not expected to live longer than six months. They'll get to you in the end, and remember, if you get an award it will be backdated to when you applied.

dmg24

ladybelle wrote: »

Thanks for that sarcastic reply

Not sarcastic, factual. You are not the only claimant, a DM does not sit there waiting for your letter. They have confirmed that they have your renewal application, there is nothing more that you can do until they contact you.

Invasion

The amount of claims have gone up considerably in recent months, everything's taking much longer than it has done in the past, even our local advocacy service is fully booked for weeks on end, more people are claiming because of job losses etc. and them now needing the money more than they did before, where they may not have applied. Overall 10-11 weeks isn't too bad, I know you're worried about it, but at least now you have a time frame that you can focus on, rather than it being completely unknown, well done for phoning

flo5

Hi ladybelle,

I can understand your frustration it seems an eternity for them to make a decision. I agree with Invasion you have time frame to focus on, which is a postitive from your phone call.

Keep strong and take care

emilyt

ladybelle wrote: »

I finally plucked up courage to ring up about my renewal - 8 weeks this week. I was told it was with the decision making team and they would be making a decision at the end of the month and I could expect a letter a few days after that !!!!!!
If they have it NOW why wont they be making a decision until the end of the month considering they have had it since May. They arent waiting for letters or hospital reports, so why does it take SO long. I know it's "only" another 3 weeks but this is now almost worse. I worry SO much - knowing the renewal pack was coming in I've been worrying really since the beginning of the year, then had the stress of the filling in of the pack, then as soon as I knew they had it was tense, then actually calmed down a bit as I thought there was nothing I could do and I know there isnt anything I can do but it doesnt help
Also, why is there a team ?? I thought it was a single decision maker who made the decision ? Is there a problem with mine that they need a whole team ?? EEEK !!

Well done for ringing them up.

At least you know where they are up to with your claim.Also you have an idea of when you will know the outcome.

Maybe they are trying to work out what rate of DLA to give you. Try to think positive.

They haven't said no. That is good.

Take care

Emily

cattie

You need to bear in mind that holidays & sickness will play a part in how many files a DWP employee will have to plough through each day.

In answer to you pondering why there has to be a team & not just be up to a single decision maker, of course there has to be a team. Some decisions will need to be discussed with a section leader & it's too much of a responsibily to expect one person to always make the decision as to whether DLA can be awarded or not or at which level. Also some DWP staff may be too lenient & others may be too stringent with allowing or disallowing claims, so it's important that input from a team is part & parcel of the process when accessing claims.

Imagine the amount of forms they have to plough through each day. Masses of information scrawled into those tiny boxes in writing that may be hard to decipher & sentences & paragraphs that may ramble on with lots of information
that is irrevelant to the claim & the decision maker having to try to sift through the information in an effort to seek out that which is relevant. Some people attach 20-30 pages of additional information with their forms. :eek:

I certainly wouldn't want to do the job they do, especially for the money they get as they are not well paid. It must be quite depressing reading about peoples disabilities & woes all day long & I think they do a pretty good job all things considered.

zzzLazyDaisy

OP when does your current award expire?

Not everyone gets their claim in promptly and the DLA decision makers do tend to deal first with renewal claims that are closest to their expiry date.

If you still have plenty of time before your award expires, it will not be viewed as urgent as someone whose current award expires next week.

HTH

munchings-n-crunchings

Further to what others have mentioned.

Regardless of the additional supporting evidence that can be sent in, often it may not include the sort of factual information that the DWP need. If there are issues surrounding your needs, it is better the questions are asked.

As frustrating as the unknown is, I would much rather the DWP do their job, and if they need to get more information, then so be it.

Regards
Munchie