What Benefits Can I Claim for MS?
I Have MS. What benefits am I entitled to?
People with MS often question: What benefits can I claim for my medical condition? You will likely struggle to work if you are living with MS symptoms, so it makes sense to seek every opportunity for financial support. If you have a severe disability in Australia, like MS, you could access government support, including:
- Funds from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS support)
- Disability support pension
When your illness prevents you from working, you could:
- Receive monthly payments from income protection insurance
- Make a TPD claim and get a lump sum payout
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), that impacts eyesight and the brain and spinal cord. This severe illness damages these body parts because the immune system attacks the protective layer surrounding the nerves, causing scarring.
Although numerous genetic and environmental factors have been linked to the onset of multiple sclerosis, no one cause has been identified.
Can I Claim TPD and Income Protection?
If you have an MS diagnosis and have worked previously, you could claim your Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance benefit or income protection insurance. Most Australians have at least one current superannuation account with several insurance policies, ready to help when the unexpected happens.
Aussie Injury Lawyers have a 99% success rate with disability insurance claims. We have helped many thousands of Aussies access their due entitlements and fund all our legal services on a 100% No Win, No Fee basis. Knowing your opportunity to claim costs nothing, and you pay nothing until we win your case.
It’s free to know if you can claim TPD benefits and the value of your potential lump sum payout. Call Now 1300 873 252
Who has Multiple Sclerosis?
More than 25,000 Aussies are currently living with multiple sclerosis, impacting each person differently. MS is a chronic disease primarily suffered by women and is the prominent cause of disability for young adults. With no current cure for this potentially debilitating medical condition, the only option is to slow down the progression of the disease.
There have been therapeutic breakthroughs in recent years that have delivered more effective treatment alternatives. Still, many people with multiple sclerosis struggle to maintain a job because of the unpredictable and persistent symptoms.
What are the different types of Multiple Sclerosis?
People with MS will experience different progressions, but three main types assist in determining the best treatment options.
RRMS is the chief type of MS known for clearly defined periods of activity alternating with a phase of partial or total remission. The majority of people diagnosed with this disease begin with RRMS.
You have SPMS when RRMS progresses to a period of decline, and the disease worsens. Transitioning from RRMS to SPMS is difficult for the neurologist and the patient as the progression is unpredictable and can take many years.
PPMS is characterised by gradually worsening the condition from the initial diagnosis without remission periods. About 15% of sufferers have PPMS and are most likely to be considered disabled.
What are the common MS Symptoms?
The symptoms of MS are many and varied, as different sections of the CNS can be impacted with varying intensity. Symptoms can change daily and may or may not be visible to others. Some common indicators are:
- Motor control issues: walking, balance and coordination are compromised
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Eyesight issues: double vision and blurred vision, depth perception, complete or partial blindness
- Sensory problems: numbness, pins and needles, nerve pain, cold or heat sensitivity
- Bowel and bladder problems: constipation, diarrhoea, and incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
- Trouble thinking, blurred memory and trouble concentrating
- Mood changes, disturbed sleep combined with depression and anxiety
Can I work with Multiple Sclerosis?
Most people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are still working when diagnosed. If you are living with MS, keeping your job may improve your quality of life, feelings of inclusion and self-worth. In most cases, employers must make reasonable adjustments to help you manage your condition at work.
However, in some cases, the unpredictable symptoms of MS and the impact of these on your capacity to perform your duties may mean you cannot work in your usual occupation. What if your ability to earn an income is compromised? Fortunately, you may be able to claim significant insurance benefits that will help pay for your bills and medical treatment costs, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery.
Further information:
How long does it take for MS to disable you?
MS is one of the common disabling diseases for young adults. Everyone living with Multiple Sclerosis has a unique disease experience with varying rates of progression and disability. People will relapsing-remitting MS are unlikely to reach a stage of permanent disability. For those who go on to secondary progressive MS, the transition can be between 10 and 20 years.
On average, it takes 28 years for MS patients to reach EDSS 6 from the first diagnosis.
If you have primary progressive MS, you are highly likely to be defined as living with a disability in a shorter timeframe. You may have brief periods of improvement, but your progression will be faster than other types of Multiple Sclerosis.
Thankfully, treatment breakthroughs mean the period of decline has slowed. Your transition to a disability should also be longer if you are diagnosed at a younger age.
When being assessed as Totally and Permanent Disabled (TPD) for a TPD claim or income protection claim, you do not need to meet the definition of permanently incapacitated as you might with the NDIS. For most people, you merely need to prove that your medical condition prevents you from doing your usual job.
Our experienced TPD insurance lawyers will show you how that works. It’s free to understand your circumstances.
Is Multiple Sclerosis Considered a Permanent Disability in Australia?
There is currently no cure for MS, so at this time, it is considered a permanent, lifelong condition. However, everyone living with this ailment is defined as disabled. Some have symptoms so mild they don’t require treatment.
It also depends on who is assessing your disability. The NDIS will likely have a tighter framework for classifying a disability than a large insurance company, considering your insurance payout.
For TPD and income protection claim assessments, you do not need to meet the definition of permanently incapacitated as you might with the NDIS. For most people, you merely need to prove that your medical condition prevents you from doing your usual job.
Our experienced insurance lawyers will show you how that works. It’s free to understand your circumstances.
Claiming TPD benefits for Multiple Sclerosis
Living with MS will likely impact all aspects of your life, including your work life and psychiatric condition. When MS symptoms prevent you from performing your usual job role, you could claim your Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) entitlements. It is common for Australian workers not to know they have disability insurance coverage.
Your TPD payout could be substantial and worth pursuing, with some receiving a lump sum payment of $500k. To be eligible for disability insurance benefits, a medical professional must assess whether you can perform your usual job duties. In most cases, you do not need to prove that you cannot perform any job, just the one you usually do or one for which you are trained.
Rely on our 99% success rate to deliver the outcome you desire. Aussie Injury Lawyers are a 100% No Win, No Fee law firm, which means it costs nothing to investigate your legal options, and you owe us nothing until we win your claim.
MS Income Protection Claims (TTD Claims)
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, progressive medical condition that impacts people in many ways, including how they work. Depending on your symptoms and type of MS, you could have periods where you successfully maintain your occupation and when you are temporarily unable to work.
If you cannot work for a period, you could make an income protection or TTD insurance claim. You may be unaware you have income protection coverage through your superannuation or attached to another organisation, e.g. union membership.
A medical specialist would verify your work incapacity to access your income protection payments for some time. If your condition worsens, you could later progress to a permanent disability insurance claim.
Get Expert Legal Help for MS Insurance Claims
Your insurance policies help you when something goes wrong in your life. But big insurers will want to defend their bottom line. Accessing all your due benefits typically requires a knowledgeable insurance claim solicitor. The team at Aussie Injury Lawyers have combined insurance litigation experience of more than 100 years. Our 99% claim success performance demonstrates our expertise.
When you need assistance with your financial survival, rely on our lawyers and solicitors to do the heavy lifting. Our 100% No Win, No Fee policy means you carry no financial risk. It’s free to know:
- Your eligibility to claim
- How many claims you could make (some people have multiple)
- Your chance of success
- The value of your claims
- How long it will take to get your lump sum payment
Our legal team will explain the claims process, step by step and when you might access your insurance entitlements. Call Now 1300 873 252 or email us >
MS Insurance Claim Lawyers Near Me
When you need expert legal help with a multiple sclerosis income protection or superannuation insurance claim, it’s good to know that Aussie Injury Lawyers are located in all mainland capital cities. Choose your location:
