time since appeal recieved by dwp

not sure what title to give, please bear with me.
My appeal was recieved by dwp on the 2nd sept and they wrote to confirm this. since then I have heard nothing. 12 weeks checking for the brown envelope is doing me no good at all
I wondered what sort of time scale others were experiancing to hear wether the new dm has changed the decision in your favour or its been sent to appeal... the address for mine is Plymouth wondered also if different arrears are... well different
My MP has his caseworker helping me a bit and she says if I haven't heard in 2 weeks she'll get in touch with DWP on my behalf. I'm not sure if thats a good idea... although i am totaly paronoid now
anyway thanks for reading
Linda

iv waited 5 weeks today

12 seems excessive, i would contact them.
we really should have all our evidence as quick as possible in order to build a case fro tribunal.

martin