Can you "cancel" a DLA appeal once you start the process?

Bumpmakesfour

Sorry just a quick question.Long story short(already posted on here tons so apologies if I'm repeating myself)middle DD has received HRC since she was 3 months old then got the HRM when she was old enough and we then got a motability car.Sent her renewal off in May this year and were shocked to get the care rate lowered to LRC and mobility part taken off completely.So after advice on here and from health care profs we requested a reconsideration which we got through a week or two ago and had the care upped to HRC and mobility to LRM.We currently have a lease extension on our motability car as we try to decide what to do.
The doctor we've spoken to so far said they feel DD should be on high rate mobility again and advised us to appeal as did one physio.The main two people who would be required to back the appeal on the mobility side are not available to be seen until 19th and 21st nov..we have appts booked(one is on annual leave other reduced hours).So basically we can't get their input until AFTER the appeal deadline.
What I was wondering was if we did start the appeal and then decided to accept the award as it stands after discussing it with the two main doctors can you actually cancel the appeal process and carry on as normal?Should we request the written statement of reasons to extend the deadline?
I don't want to risk the current award as it was hard enough to get and I don't want to try to claim something that my daughter isn't entitled to so really want advice from the docs that have looked after her since she was born.The doc we have spoken to suggested starting the process now but I needed to be sure we could pull out if necessary.Thankyou for any help on this xx

Ziggazee

Yes, you can cancel an appeal at any stage.

Bumpmakesfour

Thankyou...so maybe worth getting that started whilst we wait for the two appointments then.Just really bad timing(am 30 weeks preg) and so not up for the stress that comes with appeal but the motability car makes such a difference that if my dd "should" still be getting HRM it's worth fighting for.On the other hand if the docs say they feel the award is appropriate we'll leave it as it is.Does anybody know how long the appeal process takes at all?

Ziggazee

It can take a long time I'm afraid......the process of DLA processing it can take up to 12 weeks. During that time they could change their original decision if further evidence tells them it was wrong. After DLA have processed it and sent it to The Appeals Service you are very much dependant on their own timescale......can often take 6 months (or more!).

It is certainly worth setting wheels in motion whilst waiting for the appointments. You can send in further evidence at any stage during the Appeal process which will be taken into account.