Counseling for Emotional and Financial Stability

In any internet search engine (Google, Bing, etc.), type in "local copy and printing services." ) and it should bring up all of the photocopying locations in your area. You can also enlist the assistance of someone who knows you well.

Health descriptors are another term for assessment list.

Each question concerning your mental health is explained in this section. You will see how many points you may receive based on your response. Use this list to compare your answers to the health descriptors to determine how many points you might receive.

Activity 6: Making Yourself Understandable

This activity focuses on communicating in a way that others can understand. This is a physical activity, but if your mental health makes it difficult for others to understand you and you have someone you trust to help you communicate, this may be relevant.

If your communication issues are solely due to your mental health, the DWP will recommend that you score points under the mental health section instead.

Descriptors

Points

a Can't convey a straightforward message, such as the presence of a hazard.

15

b Has a difficult time communicating a simple message to strangers.

15

c Has trouble communicating a simple message to strangers.

6

d None of the preceding apply.

Activity 11: Learning tasks

This is about your ability to learn new tasks. If your mental health condition interferes with your ability to complete some of the examples below, you should earn points here.

Descriptors

Points

a Can't figure out how to do something as simple as set an alarm clock.

15

b Can't learn anything more complicated than setting an alarm clock.

9

c Cannot learn anything beyond a moderately complex task, such as how to use a washing machine to clean clothes.

6

d None of the preceding apply.

Activity 12: Be aware of common dangers.

Can you identify commonplace dangers? As an example:

• Bringing water to a boil
• Objects with sharp edges

Does your mental health have an impact on your ability to concentrate? Is any medication you take for your mental health interfering with your ability to identify hazards? As an example:

• You're not paying attention to traffic on a busy road you want to cross.
• You put a pot of stew on the stove but forget about it, so it burns and threatens to burn down your kitchen.

You should get points if you have a mental illness that interferes with your ability to focus and concentrate. Illnesses that are examples include:

Descriptors

Points

a Reduced awareness of everyday hazards increases the likelihood of:

(i) harm to oneself or others; or

(ii) property or possessions damage,

as a result of which the claimant requires supervision for the majority of the time in order to maintain safety

15

b Reduced awareness of everyday hazards increases the likelihood of:

(i) bodily harm to oneself or others; or

(ii) property or possessions damage,

as a result of which the claimant frequently requires supervision in order to maintain safety

9

c Reduced awareness of everyday hazards increases the likelihood of:

(i) bodily harm to oneself or others; or

(ii) property or possessions damage,

as a result of which the claimant occasionally requires supervision to ensure safety

6

d None of the preceding are true.

Activity 13: Starting and finishing a personal action

This activity tests your ability to plan, organize, solve problems, and switch tasks quickly. Consider the following:

• Can you plan a quick meal?
• Can you wash your hands and brush your teeth on your own, or do you need someone to remind you?
• Are you capable of managing your own bank account?
• Do you make purchases without knowing how much money you have?
• Can you recall a doctor's visit?

If your mental health interferes with your ability to plan, organize, solve problems, or switch tasks, you should receive credit for this section.

Descriptors

Points

a Cannot reliably initiate or complete at least two sequential personal actions due to impaired mental function.

15

b For the majority of the time, due to impaired mental function, cannot reliably initiate or complete at least two sequential personal actions.

9

c Due to impaired mental function, frequently cannot reliably initiate or complete at least two sequential personal actions.

6

d None of the preceding apply.

14th Activity: Coping with Change

Do you find it difficult to do different things? Is it easier for you to manage your day if you know exactly what you're doing and when? If your mental health makes it difficult for you to accept changes in your daily routine, you should get points here.

Examples of mental health conditions that can impair your ability to accept routine changes include:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder.
• Anxiety Disorders of Extreme Severity
• Psychosis

A developmental disability, such as autism, can also impair your ability to accept changes in routine.

Descriptors

Points

a Cannot cope with any change to the point where day-to-day life is impossible to manage

15

b Cannot cope with minor planned changes (such as a pre-arranged change to the routine time scheduled for a lunch break) to the point where day-to-day life becomes significantly more difficult.

9

c Cannot cope with minor unplanned change (such as scheduling an appointment on the day it is scheduled) to the point where day-to-day life becomes significantly more difficult.

6

d None of the preceding apply.

15th Activity: Getting Around

Do you require assistance in leaving your house? Are you able to get to the store or your doctor's office on your own? Do you ever forget where you are, even if you know where you are or have been there before?

If your mental health condition makes it difficult for you to travel or forget a place you've visited several times, you should earn points here.

Descriptors

Points

a Cannot get to any location outside of the claimant's home that the claimant is familiar with.

15

b Is unable to reach a specified location with which the claimant is familiar without the assistance of another person

9

c Is unable to reach a specific location with which the claimant is unfamiliar without the assistance of another person

6

d None of the preceding apply.

Activity 16: Managing Social Engagement

Is it difficult for you to socialize and be around other people due to your mental health? This section assesses your ability to function in a work environment while interacting with others.

The following are some examples of mental health conditions that can impair your ability to cope in social situations:

• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Disorders of Personality

Descriptors

Points

a Engagement in social contact is always prohibited due to the claimant's difficulty relating to others or significant distress.

15

b Due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the claimant, engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is always prohibited.

9

c Due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the claimant, engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is not possible the majority of the time.

6

d None of the preceding apply.

Activity 17: Appropriate interaction with others

This section assesses your ability to behave socially acceptable in a variety of situations. Consider the following:

• Is it difficult for you to know how to act around people you don't know because of your mental health?
• Is it difficult for you to know what to say in front of people you don't know because of your mental health?

Descriptors

Points

a Has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behavior on a daily basis that would be unacceptable in any workplace

15

b Has frequent episodes of uncontrollable aggressive or disinhibited behavior that would be unacceptable in any workplace.

15

c Has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behavior that would be inappropriate in any workplace.

9

d None of the preceding apply.

Consider each question carefully, and seek assistance if necessary.

Typically, you have four weeks to complete and return the health questionnaire. Plan ahead of time and ask someone who knows you and your mental health condition for assistance if necessary. Keep in mind:

• Read the questionnaire's instructions carefully.
• Consider your responses.
• First, write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
• Ask someone who knows you and your mental health to review what you've written and assist you in completing the questionnaire if necessary.
• Request assistance from a Welfare and Benefits Adviser who is knowledgeable about:

1. Investigating mental health issues and
2. Highlighting aspects of your condition that you are accustomed to and do not consider when you are struggling or concerned about anything