Guide to TPD Claims Definition
What is a TPD Claim?
A TPD claim is for the total and permanent disability insurance benefit generally contained within your Superannuation. This benefit is released if you cannot work due to an injury, illness, or mental health disorder. To qualify for a TPD payout, you should be totally and permanently disabled from working in any occupation for which you are generally suited. The TPD benefit can be paid as a lump sum or income stream and is often tax-free (depending on your circumstances).
When your case is successful, your entitlements are paid into your existing Superannuation fund in addition to your current balance. (The payout is not taken out of your existing Super funds)
If you are considering making a TPD claim, it is vital to speak to a qualified TPD Claim lawyer who can help you navigate the claims process, which can be complex and challenging.
What is meant by TPD insurance?
TPD insurance is a policy designed to protect your income should you experience an illness, injury or mental health issue that prevents you from working in your usual occupation. If you are in this situation, you may be eligible for a payout of your insurance coverage. You could already have a TPD policy if your employer has contributed to a Superannuation fund on your behalf. Either now or in the past.
Do I have TPD Cover?
Suppose you’ve ever worked in the Australian workforce. In that case, at least one of your Super funds likely offers insurance coverage for TPD (Temporary or Permanent Disability), death and income protection.
Income Protection Insurance benefits are monthly payments that replace wages when you cannot perform your duties as an employee due to illness or injury. They also provide some money towards paying your bills during this challenging time in your life. There can be many different types of insurance within each industry, so knowing what yours entails will help you succeed in making a claim.
Aussie Injury Lawyers will investigate your insurance and let you know the claims you might make as a result – find out for free. You could have the opportunity to make multiple claims – depending on your circumstances.
Can I make a TPD claim?
To make a TPD Claim, you must have been unable to work for at least three months because of a medical condition – illness, injury, or mental health issue. You also need to have no potential to return to work in the future (depending on your insurance policy requirements). Every policy differs, and proving you satisfy the definition can be a complex process, so seek professional advice.
What is meant by total and permanent disability?
If your injury or illness has kept you out of work for three months or more, and there is no prospect that this will change soon, then it might be time to consider making a TPD claim. To access your entitlements, you would need to meet the meaning of TPD contained within your terms and conditions, such as:
- You can’t work in your usual job
- You can’t work in any occupation
To be paid your TPD benefits, it is not the case that you need to be unable to work in any occupation. (In most cases)
Gidday. Just about every day in my role here as a lawyer at Aussie Injury Lawyers, I speak to people who’ve been forced out of work, because of illness or injury. Most people that we speak to aren’t aware, that in their Superannuation there’s insurance to protect them if they become unable to work due to illness or injury.
The insurance that I’m referring to is Total and Permanent Disability Insurance. The name is a little off-putting. And you’d be forgiven for expecting that you would need to be catastrophically injured to possibly qualify. The truth is actually a little bit different to that. If you can’t work because you’ve suffered an illness or an injury however caused, there’s every chance you’ll be eligible to make a claim for the insurance money in your Super, through Total Permanent Disability.
The way that it works is, if we’re able to establish that you have the grounds to make a claim, and the claim is approved, the insurance component will be paid into your Superannuation. So your Superannuation balance will receive a healthy contribution. Because you are TPD by definition, even though you may not have reached preservation age, you’re in any event able to withdraw all of the money, or some of it as you see fit.
It’s important to get some financial planning advice at that stage to make sure that what you’re doing is both effective from a taxation point of view, but also from Centrelink. I’m yet to find anyone who wasn’t better off for doing the claim, because at the end of the day the end result is typically a much more significant Superannuation balance.
It’s definitely worth finding out where you stand with respect to that type of claim, so please get in touch, and see what we can do. It’s completely obligation-free and no win, no pay. Take care.
What are the steps to a winning TPD payout?
- Find all your existing Super TPD insurance policies
- Find out if they were active at the time of your illness or injury
- Read and understand your Terms and Conditions
- Present a compelling claim with all the required assessments & reports
- Attach a document that outlines the reasons why your claim is valid
- Check in with your insurer to confirm nothing further is required
- If they deny your claim, do not accept their decision
The first step in making a winning TPD Claim is to communicate with your Superannuation provider, who may request that you submit several forms. Following an initial screening, your application will be passed on to your insurance company, which will evaluate it. They will then begin the process of denying or approving your application.
To speed up your TPD assessment and give it the best chance of success, you need close attention to detail when completing and submitting all your documentation. These records include things like medical reports, WorkCover files and so on. Since most people only make one TPD Claim in their lifetime, likely, you do not have a good understanding of the claims process. It is common for people to submit paperwork piece by piece at the insurance company’s request. This tactic is a strategy used by insurance companies to delay your claim or even deny you your benefits based on a single mistake.
It is crucial to know that each Super TPD insurer has various claim requirements, each policy has differing terms and conditions, and your medical assessments are often a significant factor in winning your TPD application.
Give yourself the best chance of success by contacting our experienced TPD Claim Lawyers. Their knowledge and expertise are your guarantees of making a successful application.
What are the barriers to a successful TPD claim?
Your TPD insurance claim could be denied because:
- You missed a deadline for submission
- You do not have an active Superannuation account
- You do not fit the meaning of disability in your T&C’s
- You applied before you had three months off work
- Your reports or assessments are contested
- You have passed the age limit
Don’t panic if your claim is rejected. Aussie Injury Lawyers often have rejected claims reversed. It’s part of why we have a 99% success rate with TPD Claims. Ask us how we do it.
Australia Wide Insurance Claim Legal Advice
Aussie Injury Lawyers have a 99% success rate with TPD claims, and there’s a good reason for that. Our attention to detail, relentless pursuit of your entitlements and the experience of our legal team. Wherever you live in Australia, we can help, 100% No Win, No Fee. Call us now on 1300 873 254
Common TPD Claim FAQs
If you have a workers’ compensation case or some other type of injury claim, it is possible to have a TPD claim. You need to have an illness or injury that prevents you from working in your usual occupation or one you are trained to do.
No problem. You can still have a TPD claim if you are receiving unemployment benefits. We can help you find the insurance contained with your Superannuation funds.
Sure, you can. If you were working as a casual or part-time before stopping work, you could still make a claim. It is best to have one of our legal team confirm you can make a claim; this service is free.
You can still claim if you have a mental illness that prevents you from working. Some accepted conditions are PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. However, there may be other types of mental illness covered by your insurance policy. Get us to check for free.
