Health conditions and illnesses
Cancer, heart conditions, chronic and terminal illness. If your illness stops you working, you may be able to claim even where your specialist is unsure.
Why illness claims stall
Where an illness is not terminal, most GPs and specialists will not rule out recovery — and they assume that ends the claim.
It does not. But a doctor with no TPD experience has no reason to know that, so the report comes back hedged and the fund declines it. The problem is almost never your condition. It is that nobody told the person writing the report what the guidelines actually say.
Critical illness cover
Some super funds list specific conditions in their policies, sometimes called critical illnesses.
It is worth knowing whether yours does before you claim, because the definition you are being assessed against may be more generous than the one your doctor assumed. We check the policy first rather than guessing at it.
What we do with your doctors
We liaise with each of your treating doctors, give them the criteria the fund will apply, and set out what your claim involves.
That usually turns a hedged letter into a report that answers the question. It also means your specialists are not being asked to become experts in superannuation law on your behalf.
Terminal illness
Terminal illness claims can be fast-tracked, and they should be.
If that is your situation, say so when you call and we will treat it accordingly.
Other kinds of claim
Different cover, same question: whether you can still work in a job your education, training and experience suit you to.
- Physical injuries You do not have to prove how you were hurt. If a physical injury stops you working, that is the test. Read more
- Psychological injuries Psychological claims are often assessed on whether you might recover. What the policy actually asks is whether you can work now. Read more
- Retail life insurance claims Cover you bought yourself, outside super. The definitions differ and so does the process. Read more
- Income protection and salary continuance A monthly payment while you cannot work. You can often claim this and TPD at the same time. Read more
Physical injuries 
Psychological injuries 
Retail life insurance claims 
Income protection and salary continuance Check if you can claim
It takes about two minutes. You do not need your policy documents — just your super fund name if you know it. We will call you back and tell you plainly whether you have a claim.
- No cost for the first conversation
- We tell you plainly if you do not have a claim
- Claims handled Australia-wide
How a claim runs
- Step 1Free claim check
We look at your super and tell you plainly whether you have cover.
- Step 2We gather your medical evidence
We tell your doctors what the fund actually needs the report to address.
- Step 3We lodge and manage the claim
We deal with the insurer and the fund, so that you do not have to.
- Step 4Settlement
If the claim is accepted, the benefit is paid out and we explain what it means for tax.
Questions about health conditions and illnesses
My doctor won't write a supporting report. What now?
This is common and it is fixable. Some GPs have never completed a TPD assessment and would rather not start. Others are willing but are not told what the fund actually needs, so the report they write does not answer the question being asked. We work with GPs and specialists around Australia who do these assessments regularly, and we give your treating doctors the criteria their report has to address.
How long do I need to be off work before I can claim?
Most policies expect around three months. Once you have been unable to work for more than three months because of an injury, illness or health condition, you are either eligible or close to it. It is not too early to check — getting the medical evidence right from the start matters more than starting quickly.
Guides on this
- Chronic Illness and TPD Claims Living with a chronic illness can turn your world upside down. Whether it’s heart disease, mental illness, or another persistent condition, the daily grind of managing chronic health problems… Read the guide
- Car Accidents and TPD Claims Have you suffered an injury or psychological condition due to a car accident, and you cannot work on your own or any occupation? Read the guide
- Can You Claim Income Protection and TPD at the Same Time? Total and Permanent Disability Insurance (TPD) is usually part of a worker’s superannuation fund. Read the guide
Not sure whether any of this applies to you?
Call and ask. No cost, no obligation, and we will tell you plainly.