Q15 - going out

How to answer the question

This question is about whether you can cope mentally or emotionally with going out - for example if you have anxiety, panic attacks or agoraphobia.

You don't need to write about how you'd physically get to places -you just need to write about how it makes you feel when you have to go out.

Explain how you feel getting to places. When thinking about this, ignore any help you may get from maps or mobile phone apps.

If physical problems stop you going out, you should explain this in question 1.

"Can you leave home and go out to places you know?"

• No

• Yes, if someone goes with me

• It varies

This question is about familiar places. Think about what would happen if you had to go to your local Post Office, bank or supermarket on your own.

Don't feel embarrassed if you have to tick "no", for example if:

• most of the time you can't go to familiar places even if another person comes with you

If you can get to a familiar place, but only if someone comes with you, you should tick "yes" and explain why, for example if:

• you would feel anxious or distressed if you tried to go out without another person

"Can you leave home and go out to places you don't know?"

• No

• Yes, if someone goes with me

• It varies

This is about places you don't know. Think about what would happen if a friend or family member moved and you were going to their new house.

Don't feel embarrassed if you have to tick "no", for example if:

• you find it difficult to go to an appointment somewhere new, even if another person comes with you

• you can't go out and buy food on your own in a shop you don't normally go to - you'd have only use shops you know or wait until someone can do it for you

If you can get to an unfamiliar place, but only if someone comes with you - tick "yes" and explain why you need the other person in the box.

What to write in the box

It's important you tell the DWP more by explaining your situation in the box.

You should explain things like:

• if a mental health condition causes you problems going out - what the condition is and what medication you take for it

• what would happen if you tried to go to a familiar or unfamiliar place on your own

• any difficulties you get into when you go out - for example panic attacks, getting lost or road accidents

• the difference it makes if you have someone with you

• if you have good and bad days, and what the differences are

Example

Karl says: "I have agoraphobia and can only deal with going to places I know, like my local doctor's surgery and my neighbour's house. I can't go to new places, even if my carer comes with me. I'd get severe anxiety if I had to go on public transport or to a different hospital to the one I normally go to."

How the DWP assess this question

The DWP look at a list of statements called 'descriptors'. They'll give you a number of points depending on which descriptor applies to you.

The DWP add together all the points you get from the whole form. This means you can qualify for ESA even if you don't get all the points for this question.

Next steps

Question 16: Coping with social situations

Back to Help filling in your ESA form