How Long Do DLA Take?

atlantis187

We have just sent the form off for my son to claim dla as he suffers from speech delay problems.
I have a sneeky feeling we may not have put enough information down, We've tried to be as honest as possible but most of the question seem to repeat themselves.

Does anyone know roughly how long they take to reply back, and if we are unsuccessful where can we go to get advice regarding putting an appeal in?

Thanks

deep_in

It can take up to 12 weeks I can't remember the appeals procedure I tried to get it for my bi polar when I was going through a really bad year with it the forms are very daunting aren't they you have my sympathy.

princessdon

Is Speech Delay a disability? I assume there will be other problems and hope you included this in the form. In my nursery there are over 40% with speech delay so this alone won't give an entitlement unless there is an underlying condition.

kingfisherblue

princessdon wrote: »

Is Speech Delay a disability? I assume there will be other problems and hope you included this in the form. In my nursery there are over 40% with speech delay so this alone won't give an entitlement unless there is an underlying condition.

I suppose a lot depends on how old the child is and how delayed his speech is. I do agree that many children have delayed speech and this in itself is not a disability, but DLA for children allows for comparison between your child and a child of the same age, hence my comment about the age of the child and level of delay.

princessdon

I completely agree - but often with older children and speech delay there are underlying issues and I'd hate to think that underlying concerns have not been disclosed.

Speech delay can be selective mute, fronting, and many things not a disability- but often there are underlying causes that are. That was my comment, that there was more than just a "regular" speech delay that needs SALT imput.

atlantis187

He is 4 years old and will be starting school this september, when comparing him to other 4 year olds he is way way behind in his talking. He is being seen regularly by a speech therapist at the nursery and some home visits and it was her that suggested to us that we should put this form in as he may be entitled.

stassy23

hi when i did my sons first claim for dla it took 11 weeks and was turned down so asked them to look at it again and was awarded after another 8 weeks just done his renewal and that took 8 weeks

Anubis_2

DLA is awarded for the care needed, not necessarily the condition. It is unlikely he will be entitled to mobility, only the care component. Does your son require significant extra care compared to another 4 year old?

ineed

atlantis187 wrote: »

We have just sent the form off for my son to claim dla as he suffers from speech delay problems.
I have a sneeky feeling we may not have put enough information down, We've tried to be as honest as possible but most of the question seem to repeat themselves.

Does anyone know roughly how long they take to reply back, and if we are unsuccessful where can we go to get advice regarding putting an appeal in?

Thanks

It should be roughly 8 weeks. Don't be surprised if they turn you down at first, they did with me and I've read quite a lot of posts from people being turned down first time and then being awarded it on appeal. You'll get back pay though from the date they received your claim if you are successful.

gingergee

My 2 yr old has speech delay and CAE. Wouldn't class her as having a disability myself, even though her CAE is progressing and caused her to fall down stairs!! Think you will have a battle on your hands TBH. I'd get doctors/speech therapist/nursery all onside now. Tell them you have applied for DLA and they may need to provide info. That can make all the difference IMO. My own DLA took just short of 11 weeks, but was back dated.
Good luck, good to hear he is seeing speech therapists, i know just getting that in place can me a mare!! lol x

krisskross

My grandson had speech delay. He didn't say a word at 3 and a few months. Not even Mum and Dad. Very worrying I agree.

However he started nursery and suddenly found not just words but whole paragraphs:rotfl:

I hope the same happens for the OP's little one.