Managing toilet needs

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

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

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 

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 

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

Explain if the difficulties you have getting on or off the toilet, cleaning yourself or managing your incontinence cause you any physical or mental symptons. 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