So, you’ve been injured or have fallen ill and are worried you will not be able to support yourself or your family if you can’t return to work?
Thankfully there is an answer… a Total Permanent Disability (TPD) claim.
The majority of Australians have TPD insurance through their superannuation fund and can typically make a claim if they have been off work for three or more months due to injury or illness and have no prospect of returning to work.
If that sounds like you, this checklist will be able to guide you through how to claim.
Checklist
- Locate your superannuation policy number. If you have more than one superannuation fund, you will need to locate the policy number for each superannuation fund.
- Contact your superannuation fund/s and request the following:
- All relevant claim forms
- Your superannuation policy
- Any other related documentation. Usually if you tell your superannuation fund your considering making a TPD claim, they will provide you with all the relevant documentation you need to complete to make a claim.
- Once you receive the documentation from your superannuation fund, read the relevant superannuation policy to see what criteria you need to meet under the definition of total permanent disability.
- Carefully complete all relevant claim forms – the more information you provide, the better.
- Gather any relevant evidence to support your claim, this may include:
- Certified identification documents
- Resumes
- Medical reports
- Payslips
- Submit your claim and all requested and relevant documentation to your superannuation fund.
Important information you should know
- If you have multiple superannuation funds, you may be able to make multiple TPD claims – one for each policy you hold.
- If you have decided to make a claim, it is recommended you set your social media profiles to private.
Finally, if you make an error while submitting a claim or do not provide your superannuation fund with the correct information, it can jeopardise your claim. With that in mind, if you need assistance with lodging a TPD claim, Adams & Partners Lawyers can assist.