PIP form question 7 managing toilet needs

This two-part question is about whether you’re able to use an unadapted toilet seat and clean yourself. It also covers any incontinence issues you may have.

Read on to find out how to answer this question.

How to answer question 7a

The first part of the question is a yes or no tick-box answer. It asks if your condition affects you when using the toilet.

If any of the following apply to you, you should check ‘yes’:

you’re incontinent and have to use things like incontinence pads
you use an adapted toilet or toilet seat
you use a commode or catheter instead of a toilet
you use another aid when using the toilet
someone helps you use the toilet or reminds you to use it
someone helps you with your aids, such as inserting a catheter
someone explains how to clean yourself properly

If you need help but don’t get it, you should also check ‘yes’.

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How to answer question 7b

This is your chance to explain how your condition affects you when using the toilet or managing incontinence. Try not to feel embarrassed or miss out any information as this might affect your PIP claim.

What to include

Include as much information as possible about how your condition affects you when using the toilet. Mention any aids you use, if someone else helps you, if you’re at risk of hurting yourself and if you have good and bad days.

You don’t need to mention if you find it hard to climb stairs or undress to use the toilet.

Aids

List all the aids you use, even if you think it’s obvious.

Mention everything you use to help you get on and off a toilet seat, clean yourself or manage incontinence. Be clear if this means using incontinence pads, a colostomy bag, catheter or similar items.

Explain how each item helps you and if you use them because you can’t use a toilet.

Remember to mention if a health professional has told you to use them and say if there are other aids you think might help.

Help from someone else

If you get help from another person, say who that person is and what they do. You should mention if you need their help all the time or if sometimes you’re able to manage on your own.

They might help you in one or more of the following ways:

getting on and off the toilet
cleaning yourself
reminding you to go to the toilet or wash your hands
emptying your colostomy bag or changing your catheter
explaining how to use the toilet or clean yourself

If someone supervises you to make sure you don’t hurt or soil yourself, or you need them to be there in case of an emergency, make this clear in your answer.

If you need help but don’t get it, mention this here too. Explain what would happen without help e.g. you’re more likely to soil yourself.

Good and bad days

Your condition might mean you have good and bad days.

If this applies to you, explain what good and bad days look like for you and how often they occur e.g. I typically have four bad days and three good days a week.

Consider how long it takes you to use the toilet compared to a typical healthy person.

It’s okay to estimate how long it takes but be clear if this is the case and explain why you’re unable to be more precise e.g. because your condition fluctuates.

What if I’m at risk of hurting myself?

Your condition might mean you’re at risk of hurting yourself because you might slip or fall when getting on or off the toilet. You may also be more likely to become sick or get an infection because you find it hard to clean yourself.

Explain how often these things happen and how you’ve been affected. Be sure to include any steps you take to try and reduce the risks, such as using a grab rail.

Say why you’re at risk e.g. due to a lack of help or because you have trouble remembering.

Example answer

I have bladder and muscle weakness due to a long-term illness. Because of this, I rely on catheters each time I go for a wee. I also use an adapted toilet seat to make it easier for me to sit and stand. Both of these measures were recommended by my doctor.

Because of my muscle weakness, I have grab rails installed around my toilet to help me pull myself up and stop me from falling.

My wife helps me clean myself properly each time I go to the bathroom and helps me insert my catheter when I’m having a bad day. I can manage my catheter myself on good days, but I usually have one bad day a week where she will need to help me.

If you need help filling in the rest of your PIP form, continue to our guide on question 8.