What to Do If You Receive a Decision Delay for Your Attendance Allowance Claim

When you apply for Attendance Allowance, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) usually aims to send you a decision within a reasonable time after you submit your claim. However, sometimes you may receive a notification that there will be a delay in processing your claim. This can be frustrating, but it’s important to understand what this means and what steps you can take.

Why Might There Be a Delay?

Delays can happen for several reasons, such as:

• Additional medical evidence or information is needed to assess your claim properly.
• The DWP is waiting to receive reports from your GP or other healthcare professionals.
• There is a high volume of claims being processed at the time.
• Your application requires more detailed consideration due to the complexity of your condition.

Receiving a delay notice does not mean your claim has been rejected or that you are not eligible. It simply means the decision is taking longer than initially expected.

What Should You Do Next?

If you get a letter or text explaining there will be a delay, you should:

1. Check the communication carefully: See if the DWP requests any additional information or documents from you. If so, provide these promptly to avoid further delays.
2. Keep copies of all correspondence: Keep a record of letters, texts, and any forms you send or receive.
3. Be patient but proactive: While waiting, you can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline to ask for an update or clarify what is causing the delay. The helpline number is 0800 731 0122.
4. Continue to manage your care needs: Keep notes or a diary of how your condition affects you day-to-day, as this may help if you need to provide further evidence or appeal the decision later.

What If the Delay Is Prolonged?

If the delay lasts several weeks beyond the expected timeframe, you can:

• Contact the Attendance Allowance helpline to request an update on your claim.
• Ask if there is any further information you could provide to help speed up the process.
• Consider seeking advice from a welfare rights adviser or a local support organisation experienced with Attendance Allowance claims.

Remember, the official guidance states that after you send your claim, you should receive a text or letter within about three weeks explaining when you can expect a decision. If you have not heard anything by then, it is reasonable to follow up.

After the Decision Is Made

Once the DWP reaches a decision, you will receive a letter explaining the outcome. If you are awarded Attendance Allowance, the letter will also tell you when your payments will start. If you applied online, your claim start date is the date you made the claim. If you posted the form, it is the date the DWP received it. If you requested a claim form by phone, your claim start date is the date of your call, provided you return the completed form within 6 weeks.

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration, which is a formal review of the decision. Details on how to do this will be included with your decision letter.

Official reference: https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim. Always check the latest official guidance. Related forms: Browse our form category.

Important: This article provides general information. Government rules, forms and procedures can change, and this article may not reflect the latest updates. Check current GOV.UK guidance or the relevant authority before relying on it. ITG & Co. is independent and is not affiliated with a government department.