Section 2 of the DLA claim form

For instance, are you afraid of going places alone, do you avoid crowds, do you suffer from paranoia or agoraphobia, do you need someone with you when going to new places? Try to explain what would happen if someone was not with you. You should fill this in even if you make familiar journeys unaccompanied.

Imagine yourself cooking meat, potatoes and two vegetables. Do you get confused when doing something like cooking, do you cook for yourself or will you just not eat or eat cold food, are you safe with the cooker or do you forget and leave it on? Are you too exhausted to cook a full meal?

Do you have problems with motivation, does someone have to make sure you get up in the morning, take your tablets, dress, wash or cook? It is important to write about any encouragement someone gives to help you do these things and reassurance they provide. People who self harm may need continual supervision to make sure they do not harm themselves again. Try to explain what would happen if you did not get supervision. It is important that you try to estimate the amount of time you need supervision.

Do you feel anxious, paranoid, fearful, manic and how does this affect you life?

Are you able to go to a social event and talk to people. Are you fearful, paranoid?

Try to be as precise as possible when describing the help that you need. For
example, saying that you are depressed does not tell the person deciding the claim whether you can cook a meal. It is much better to explain how this affects your daily life, such as:

• "I find it difficult to get up in the morning and need a lot of prompting"

• "I get very tired as a result of the medication I take and tend to fall asleep while doing routine tasks like cooking, which is dangerous"

• "I need to have someone with me most of the time because I am frightened of being on my own"

Remember you don't have to prove that you are getting a particular level of attention, only that you need it. Also if you have little insight and cannot recognise the onset of a relapse, this should be made clear on the form.

Don't feel that you must squeeze your answers into the boxes provided; feel free to write on other parts of the form if necessary, or add a separate piece of paper. Do make sure that any additional sheets of paper are securely attached to the application for, and write your name and National Insurance number clearly at the top of every additional sheet. It is important to keep a copy.

Don't worry if you keep repeating information, as the same points may apply as you fill in different parts of the form

The last two pages of the form have to be completed by someone who knows you well and a professional. These two pages could be the key to your application.

You may wish to ask your GP or psychiatrist to write a letter supporting your application. The supporting letter should describe your need for help and supervision, relate this to the illness, and explain what will happen if this help and support are not available. Unfortunately, many professionals know little about the benefits system and will provide a letter about diagnosis and medication, which says nothing about your ability to cook or your need for attention and supervision. You are the best person to decide who can provide the most useful supporting evidence. Sometimes this may be your CPN, who may visit the home regularly. You may like to show this information to them. or give them the telephone number of the Rethink National Advice Service (020 8974 6814, open Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm).

The Department for Work and Pensions may wish to send a medical examiner to examine you. Because your condition may change from day to day, it is a good idea to ask your carer or a friend or an advocate to be present at the examination. To find an advocate, contact Rethink’s National Advice Service by phoning 020 8974 6814 (open Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm), writing to Rethink Advice, 28 Castle Street, Kingston upon Thames, SURREY KT1 1SS or emailing advice@rethink.org.