Guide to Claiming Benefits for Heart Event
Chronic Health Conditions and Permanent Impairment
Chronic health conditions are often associated with some level of disability and permanent impairment in Australia. They are the leading cause of illness, disability and death. According to the Heart Research Institute, more than 4 million Aussies are living with cardiovascular disease.
Chronic conditions that frequently cause reduced function include:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Diabetes
- Arthritis and associated disorders
- Spinal issues and back pain
- Osteoporosis
- Asthma and lung disease
Sometimes, a chronic illness does not qualify as a disability. However, the resulting physical impairment or associated mental health condition does qualify when it disrupts your daily living activities, work capacity and quality of life.
Is a heart attack considered a disability?
In Australia, you can be considered to have a disability when heart disease interferes with your core daily activities (self-care, mobility and communication). Chronic medical conditions like coronary heart disease are generally linked to some degree of disability. Symptoms and after-effects can be persistent and ongoing, with a steady onset often related to age.
About half of Australians with one chronic illness also live with a disability. But a major illness does not mean you automatically qualify as disabled. You will more likely fit the definition to claim benefits.
Our insurance claim lawyers will explain how this works and guide you through the claims process on a 100% no-win, no-fee basis. It’s free to learn your legal right to access your insurance benefits. Call Now: 1300 873 252
Can I return to work after a heart attack?
You could go back to work after a heart attack or stroke, but it will likely be a lengthy and challenging process. According to Australian research, many patients who work again will leave their jobs within 12 months. If your heart attack or stroke also triggered a mental illness or psychosocial disability, you are twice as likely to quit your job after returning to your role.
With statistics like this, a better strategy would be to access your due insurance entitlements, giving you the time and space to consider your options without the stress of earning a living. It’s free for Aussie Injury Lawyers to advise on your right to claim insurance benefits. Call Now: 1300 873 252
What benefits can I claim for heart attack and stroke?
In Australia, you can claim a range of benefits for heart attacks and strokes when they disrupt your daily living and work capacity. Support for people living with a coronary condition can include:
- NDIS Benefits
- Disability support pension
- Early life insurance payout
- Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim
- Income protection claim
You could also get access to your superannuation fund early, allowing you to retire early.
Claiming TPD benefits for a heart attack or stroke
When making a TPD claim, being classified as totally and permanently disabled is a more straightforward process than for the NDIS. To have a successful claim you must:
- Meet the TPD definition of your super insurance policy
- Provide a medical assessment that shows you are unable work in your usual occupation because of your medical condition.
Many Aussies have a superannuation account with several insurance policies, ready to help when the unexpected happens. This means you can claim a lump sum payout from your TPD policy when heart disease, stroke or heart attack prevents you from working. You can also claim multiple times if you’re lucky enough to have more than one super account. TPD payments can be substantial and help fund your medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Income protection claims for stroke and heart attacks
When a stroke or other heart condition prevents you from temporarily working, you can claim income protection insurance benefits (TTD claim). Typically, Aussies have income protection coverage through their superannuation or some other organisation, e.g., union membership.
Health professionals must verify your work incapacity to access your income protection benefits. If your condition worsens to a permanent impairment, you can file a permanent disability insurance claim.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
In Australia, the NDIS offers for people affected by stroke to help them with their daily living needs and rehabilitation expenses.
If you are a stroke patient, you will likely require support from the NDIS (called stroke NDIS support) for many years. Your coronary medical condition must lead to permanent impairment (significant disability) for you to receive NDIS funding. That is, a stroke leading to either:
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Cognitive
- Neurological
- Visual or hearing
- or Psychosocial disability
Thankfully, the NDIS supports several vital services for people living with disabilities caused by a stroke or heart attack. They include:
- Personal care
- Community access support
- Nutritional support
- Skills development
- Transport costs
- Household care
- Behavioural support
The NDIS does not provide funding for chronic health conditions unrelated to a person’s disability.
Disability Support Pension for Stroke Patients
When assessed as having a significant disability in Australia, you can often qualify for a disability support pension (DSP). However, not everyone with a severe medical condition receives Centrelink benefits.
You become eligible when a stroke or other coronary disease prevents you from working. In that case, you could receive health care and concession cards, which help with living costs, including prescription medicines.
Expert Insurance Claim Legal Advice for Stroke Patients
The Aussie Injury Lawyers team has considerable skills for claiming heart attack or stroke insurance benefits. If you have cardiovascular disease and are struggling to pay the bills, we can help you access the financial support you need to take care of yourself and your family.
All our clients have access to 100% No Win, No Fee legal services, which means:
- It’s free to know your right to claim
- The number of claims you could make (some people have multiple)
- How much your case is worth
- Your chance of success
- What to do next to create a winning claim
Rely on our 99% success rate to access the disability entitlements you deserve. Contact us now to get started. Call 1300 873 252
Heart Attack Disability Lawyers Near me
When you need experienced legal advice for a heart disease income protection or superannuation insurance claim, knowing that Aussie Injury Lawyers have locations in most mainland capital cities is reassuring. Choose your location:
Is Heart Disease a Disability FAQs
Common heart conditions that qualify for disability in Australia include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Recurring arrhythmias
- Heart transplant
- Cardiovascular disease
- Congenital heart disease
After a stroke, you could claim various benefits, including stroke NDIS funding, which provides comprehensive support for stroke survivors, as well as:
- An early superannuation payout
- Life insurance while still living
- Permanent disability insurance claim
- Income protection payments
- Disability support pension
If you are living with a health condition like heart disease or stroke, there is no set time for how long you should be off work. But you could go back to work in a few weeks if you have a mild stroke, while others might be off the job for a few years. A medical specialist or other health professional will advise if and when you can work.
