PIP form question 10: reading

Question 10 is a two-part question about your ability to read indoors and outdoors.

It covers how hard it is for you to read information in a standard text size (not large print) and signs.

It doesn’t cover your English language or memory skills.

Find out what to include in your answer.

How to answer question 10a

This is a tick-box question asking if your condition affects your ability to read.

You should tick ‘yes’ if you:

use large print, braille or audio
need special lamps or light to help you read
need to take rest breaks when reading
can’t read words at all, including on signs
have a learning disability
have a physical or mental condition that stops you from being able to read

If you need someone else to explain written information to you, whether you’re currently getting that help or not, you should also tick ‘yes’.

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How to answer question 10b

This is your chance to explain how hard you find it to read words or symbols and how you manage these challenges.

Include as many details as possible, as your answer will affect the likelihood of you being awarded PIP.

What should I include?

Mention:

any items you use to help you read
if someone helps you read
how long it takes you to read compared to the average person
if your ability to read varies from day to day

List everything you use to help you read, even if you think it’s obvious. If you use large print, audio formats or braille, mention it here.

Explain how each aid helps and if a health professional has recommended you use it.

List items you don’t currently have that would help you read.

If you take rest breaks when reading or have to read things a few times, remember to include this too.

Someone helps me read

If someone helps you read, say:

who helps you
why you need their help
what help they provide e.g. reading the safety information on medicine
if they help inside, outside or both e.g. you might be able to read street signs but not small print
how often they help

A friend, family member or carer might read all standard size print for you on a daily basis, or they might read a map for you outside once a week.

Explain how you’d cope without this help. For example, you might experience headaches or strained eyes, which might make it harder for you to do other tasks covered in the PIP form.

What if I’m at risk of harm?

If you’ve ever been at risk because you find it hard to read important signs or safety information, mention this.

Be specific about what happened and if there is anything you can do to reduce the risk.

Example

I struggle to read the small print on my medication, which I take multiple times a day. Because my dosage varies, I need to read this information each time I take my medication.

My partner reads the information to me to make sure I take the correct dose. I took the wrong dose once before, which resulted in me being hospitalised.

Good and bad days

Be clear if you have good and bad days, explaining the difference between the two and what you do to cope.

You should mention how often you have bad days and if you have more bad days than good.

You might take more breaks, read slower or need larger print on a bad day.

It can be helpful to estimate how long it takes you to read compared to the average person.

Think about how long it takes you read things like bills, letters and timetables, as well as street signs.

If your condition causes symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, or poor hand-to-eye co-ordination, talk about it here.

Describe how often you experience these symptoms, how long they last and if they affect you when you’re indoors, outdoors or both.

Say if you only need help on bad days.

Include how often you have bad days e.g on average I have four bad days a week. If it's difficult to be precise about how many bad days you have, that's okay. You can estimate providing you explain why you were unable to be more accurate e.g. because my condition fluctuates so much.

The decision on whether to award PIP will be based on how your condition affects you most of the time.

Example answer

I have no vision in my right eye and only slight light perception in my left. This means I can’t read any written or printed text because I can only make out shapes and shadows if they are close to me.

I rely on braille and audio software, including screen readers when using a computer or phone. When these options aren’t available, I need someone to read text to me.

If you need help filling in the rest of your PIP form, continue to our guide on question 11.