Q7: managing toilet needs
This advice applies to Wales. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland
What this question means
This question is about how your condition makes it difficult for you to:
get on and off an unadapted toilet seat
clean yourself afterwards
if applicable, manage your incontinence
The DWP is not interested in the difficulties you have getting to the bathroom or managing your clothes - for example, unzipping your trousers or undoing a belt. If you have difficulties with these, you can explain them in question 8.
Try not to feel embarrassed, miss out information or put on a brave face. If you do, the DWP won’t get a true picture of how your condition affects you and this can make it harder to get PIP.
Question 7a
"Does your condition affect you using the toilet or managing incontinence?"
Yes
No
You should probably tick “Yes” if:
you're incontinent and have to use aids such as incontinence pads or grab rails
you use an adapted toilet seat or toilet - for example, it has handrails
you don't use a toilet - for example, you use a commode or catheter instead
you use an aid either all the time or sometimes
someone helps you (even if it's just with your aid - for example, dealing with a used portable bidet)
someone is around in case you need help
someone reminds you to go to the toilet
someone explains how to clean yourself properly
you need help but don't get it
Question 7b
"Tell us about the difficulties you have using the toilet and how you manage them."
It’s important you tell the DWP more by explaining your situation in the box.
It's your chance to give the DWP a true picture of the difficulties you face because of your condition. They'll use this to decide if you get PIP.
You can also use this space to explain what help you need but don't get.
Aids you use
List all the aids you use:
to help you get on and off a toilet seat
to clean yourself
to manage any incontinence - clearly state if this includes incontinence pads, a temporary or permanent catheter, a colostomy bag, or similar
Never miss any aids off your list because you think it's obvious and always:
explain how they help you
explain if you have to use them because you can't use a toilet
make it clear if a health professional advised you to use them
include any that would help you if you had them
Someone helps, assists or reminds you
Make it clear if you need help but don’t get it.
if you do get help, give the relationship of the person to you (for example, carer or friend) and explain:
why they help
how they help
how often they help
Make it clear if you need them to:
always help you on and off a toilet seat
always help you clean yourself
help with just some of your toilet needs
be on hand - for example, to help only if needed or to make sure you're safe
remind you to go to the toilet, empty your colostomy bag or wash your hands
explain how to use the toilet or clean yourself
Always explain what happens (or would happen) if you don't get help. For example:
you're more likely to soil yourself
you're more likely to have an accident - for example, you're epileptic and at risk of a seizure while on the toilet
you're less likely to go out because you might need to go to the toilet
It's ok to estimate how often you need help but say if you are. If it's too difficult to estimate - explain why. For example, because your condition fluctuates.
Safety: accidents and risk of injury or infection
Tell the DWP if you have or think you might:
slip or fall when getting on or off the toilet
fall sick or get an infection because you find it hard to clean yourself
Make it clear:
why it can happen
how often it can happen
how badly it could affect you
how you try to prevent it - for example, you rely on a handrail or someone to help you
if it's because someone didn't help you
if it's because you get confused or have trouble remembering
Time it takes
Tell the DWP if it takes you twice as long as someone without your condition to do any of the following:
get on and off an unadapted toilet seat
clean yourself
wash your hands afterwards
Try to explain how long it takes. It's ok to estimate but say if you are. If it's too hard to estimate explain why.
Remember to:
include time for breaks if you need them
explain if it takes you even longer on a bad day
Good days and bad days
Explain how you cope managing your toilet needs on both good days and bad and how you manage over a longer period of time (like a week). This gives the DWP a better picture of how you cope most of the time.
Make it clear:
if you have good days and bad days
how often you have bad days
if you have bad days more often than not
how your difficulties and any symptoms differ between goods days and bad
It's ok to estimate your bad days but say if you are. If it's too difficult to estimate - explain why. For example, because your condition fluctuates.
Symptoms like pain or frustration
Explain if the difficulties you have getting on or off the toilet, cleaning yourself or managing your incontinence cause you any physical or mental symptoms. For example, pain, tiredness or stress.
It's helpful to explain the symptoms and give an example, including:
how often you have them
how long they last
if they're likely to increase the risk of an accident or you soiling yourself
if they affect your ability to carry out any of the other activities on your PIP claim form - for example, you're so anxious about managing your incontinence that it prevents you from going out
Example
Sarah finds it difficult to manage her toilet needs so she doesn't eat or drink properly or go out with her friends as much as she used to because she's anxious about having to go to the toilet.
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