Personal Independence Payment (PIP) guide

Think about all the times that you need somebody to help you communicate. Think about how you feel and if you able to manage. This can include reading emails, replying to letters, using the telephone or texting, and using sign language.

Try and keep a record of how many times you need help with verbal communication, how long for and how many days in the week. Give examples of the type of help needed.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you need help or prompting to communicate and what help is needed to meet your needs?
• do you need a signer or can only communicate through signing?
• what happens if you cannot communicate, for example, in a shop, and do you use aids or adaptions to help you communicate?
• do you need someone to speak for you because you are not always able to express yourself clearly?
• do you have a speech impairment?
• does somebody have to attract your attention by touch or waving to speak to you?
• can you only communicate in quiet places and why?