If a mental health condition has stopped you working, you may be entitled to a lump sum payout or income protection payments through insurance you already have in your superannuation.
Mental health conditions can be just as debilitating as physical conditions. Major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions can affect your ability to concentrate, make decisions, manage everyday responsibilities and maintain employment.
Mental health difficulties develop gradually. Others follow a sudden traumatic event, serious illness or physical injury. Some people continue working for years before their condition stops them working.
Losing your ability to work creates enormous financial pressure at an already difficult time – the double whammy of medical issues affecting work, often permanently.
At Superlaw Claims, we understand both the medical complexities of mental health conditions and what you could claim. Our experienced and caring team has helped thousands of people with mental health conditions get insurance benefits through their superannuation.
You may have more options than you realise.
Can you make a TPD claim for a mental health condition?
Yes. Mental health conditions can qualify for Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance claims.
TPD insurance generally provides a lump sum payment if any illness or injury prevents you from returning to work.
Mental health conditions that may support a TPD claim include:
- Major depression disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe anxiety disorders
The key is how your mental health condition affects your ability to work, and whether you’re likely to be able to return to suitable employment.
What if a physical illness or injury has also affected your mental health?
This is something we see regularly.
A serious illness or injury can change almost every aspect of your life. Chronic pain, reduced mobility, ongoing treatment, loss of independence, financial and family pressure, and uncertainty about the future are common consequences.
Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions develop often after the original physical illness or injury. For others, an existing mental health condition becomes worse.
You may have initially stopped working because of a back injury, cancer, heart disease or another physical condition, only to find that your mental health has deteriorated over time.
When assessing a TPD claim, we consider the combined impact of your physical and mental health conditions on your ability to work.
For example, someone who stopped working because of a serious back injury may subsequently develop depression associated with chronic pain, disrupted sleep and the loss of their normal lifestyle.
Although the original injury may have been the reason they stopped working, the combined physical and psychological effects may make returning to your usual job impossible.
We consider your complete medical history and work circumstances to help ensure that all relevant conditions are properly considered when preparing your claim.
Can mental health TPD claims be more difficult?
Not necessarily. We understand that mental health symptoms aren’t always visible or easily measured, but they are real.
Mental health conditions can also fluctuate. You may have periods when you feel better, followed by periods when your symptoms become significantly worse.
It means the quality of your medical evidence and how your claim is prepared is crucial.
Our team understands the medical and legal issues involved in mental health claims. We know what evidence insurers generally require, how to work with your treating doctors and how to present a clear picture of the impact your condition has had on your working life.
We’ve successfully helped thousands of people with complex mental health claims, including people whose physical and psychological conditions needed to be considered together.
Can you claim Income Protection for a mental health condition?
Yes. You may also have income protection insurance through your superannuation or a separate insurance policy.
Income protection generally replaces a portion of your regular income if an illness or injury prevents you from working.
Unlike TPD insurance, income protection doesn’t necessarily require you to demonstrate that you’ll be permanently unable to return to work.
Depending on your policy, payments may begin after a waiting period, often 30, 60 or 90 days, and continue for a benefit period of usually at least a year, and sometime much longer.
For someone who has stopped working because of depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD or another mental health condition, income protection may provide valuable financial support during treatment.
You may also be entitled to both income protection and TPD benefits, depending on your insurance arrangements.
Many people don’t realise they have this insurance until someone checks their superannuation cover.
How does the mental health TPD claims process work?
Every claim begins with understanding your individual circumstances.
At Superlaw Claims, we take the time to listen to your situation, understand your medical history and establish how your condition affects your ability to work.
We then review your insurance policies and assess what benefits may be available.
When we claim for you, we take the stress off you by getting detailed supporting evidence; like reports from your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist or other treating specialists, along with information about your work history and ability.
We understand that gathering medical records, completing paperwork and dealing with insurers can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’re already managing a mental health condition.
We then deal with the insurance company to achieve the best possible outcome, faster.
Our team combines extensive experience in insurance law with a detailed understanding of the medical issues that can affect a claim.
You can focus on your health while we focus on your claim.
Better starts now. Take the first step.
Living with a mental health condition that has stopped you working can be incredibly difficult.
You don’t need to understand the complexities of insurance law or know whether your condition qualifies before speaking with us.
That’s our job, and it is a free chat.
We’ll listen to your story, review your insurance and explain what you may be entitled to.
It costs nothing to find out where you stand.
Complete our Free Claim Check or call 1300 330 542 to speak with our experienced team.
Better Starts Now.
FAQs
No. It is about how your condition affects your ability to work, the medical evidence and your insurance policy, not just your diagnosis.
We'll review your circumstances and explain whether you're likely to have a claim.
This is common. You may experience depression alongside anxiety or PTSD, or have both physical and mental health conditions.
We’ll consider the combined impact of all conditions on your ability to work.
You may still have a claim. For example, depression or anxiety may develop after you've stopped working due to a physical injury.
The timing of your conditions and insurance cover can affect your entitlements. We'll review your circumstances and explain your options.
What matters is whether you can work reliably and consistently, not simply what you're capable of doing on a good day.
Not necessarily. You can make a claim while receiving medication, counselling or other treatment.
What matters is whether the medical evidence supports your claim under your insurance policy, including your likely future ability to work.
That’s very common. You can still make a TPD claim.
We'll review your circumstances and explain your options.
No. Many Australians have TPD or income protection insurance through their super without realising they have that safety-net.
This is insurance you may already be paying for, not a government benefit. We can check your cover and explain what you may be entitled to.
A rejected claim doesn't necessarily mean you're not entitled to a payout. We can advise you.
No. Most TPD claims will not affect your Centrelink. TPD claims do not affect NDIS. Some types of claims will affect Centrelink, such as income protection claims. Let us advise you on your best options.
We can explain the insurance implications and help you identify where specialist benefits advice is.
