Statement of Reasons waiting time

I received the decision on my DLA claim at the end of November, at a lower rate of Care than I think I'm entitled to.
After good advice from people here, I phoned up straightway to ask them to send me a Statement of Reasons and copy of the Consultant's Report that they'd used in making the decision.

It is now 3 weeks since I requested it but, when I rang up the DWP to chase,they say that the file has been recalled but nothing sent out to me yet.
I having been holding off on making an appointment with CAB until I had the SOR, but am worried that time is running out.
I asked the DWP if there was an extension of the period for appeal (above the 14days extra, due to requesting a SOR), as I haven't received anything, and the Christmas shut down means the post is slow and less time to get expert advice. I was told a flat 'no.'

My condition is variable & I am not sure what my consultant would have written about my care needs (they don't really know anything about that). Therefore, I don't see how I can assess whether it's worth appealing until I've seen how they've interpreted things/whether there are any gross errors.

Could anyone give me some advise as to whether there is any way to get an extension, or whether CAB would be able to adequately advise me without the extra info?
Thanks

Obviously, it's going to be difficult for anyone to give you detailed advice without a SOR. Nevertheless, as you will have seen from our guides, if you want to make an appeal, you do need to get your appeal in soon, and so I think that it would be worth getting face-to-face advice from someone who can go through your case with you and see whether you've adequately put your case on your application form and whether you appear to have a strong case for the rate you believe you should be awarded.

So far as I am aware, there is no way of getting extra time to launch your appeal, but you do not have to give your full case straight away and you can withdraw your appeal later if you change your mind.

Do read our guide to DLA appeals for more details.