Cancer affects hundreds of thousands of Australians every year. There can come a point where continuing to work is no longer possible.
The cancer, the demands of treatment, or both can mean work is just not feasible – temporarily or permanently. Thoughts quickly turn to how to survive financially.
Our team at Superlaw Claims has helped many people in this situation understand what they can claim.
Can I claim income protection with cancer?
Income protection insurance can sit in your super or sit outside super. Often, people are unaware they even have this insurance. Typically, it covers you for a high percentage of your former wage after a short waiting period usually 90 days or less), and is paid for a fixed period. A common period is 2 years, but some are far longer.
Income protection insurance cover doesn’t require you to show you can’t ever get back to work, just that you can’t work for the time being. It is usually far better than any Centrelink benefit.
All forms of cancer qualify for income protection benefits. It is often a huge relief to our clients to hear they have cover for about ¾ of their former wage, and sometimes more.
Does cancer qualify for a TPD claim?
Yes, cancer can qualify for a TPD claim if it has stopped you working in your usual work and it is likely that you’ll not be able to get back to that.
So, if your cancer means you can’t realistically return to any suitable work, you’ll probably have a claim.
The exact wording in your policy makes a big difference – not all TPD insurance is the same. We can check and guide you about whether you’re likely to be covered.
Does the severity of my cancer affect my claim?
No. It is the impact on your ability to work which is crucial. Two people with the same type of cancer can have very different work ability.
The key question is always: what can you no longer do, and does that prevent you from doing work you’ve usually done in the past?
What if my cancer goes into remission?
Remission doesn’t always mean recovery. Chemo and radiation, and some cancer drugs can have serious permanent consequences.
Many people face long-term effects from cancer treatment, including chronic fatigue, nerve damage, swelling, or mental health impacts, that can permanently affect their ability to work even when the cancer is not progressing. We have handled many successful TPD claims for people with those types of conditions from cancer treatment.
How does the TPD claims process work?
A TPD claim starts with us clearly understanding your medical and work situation. We listen closely to your story.
We then gather the evidence needed to support it, including medical records, specialist reports, and your employment history. Superlaw Claims will help you work out what’s needed and how to get it. We do it all while you focus on your health and family.
We then lodge the claim and push the insurer for a quick response. We have a strong track record of fast responses to our claims and a high success rate.
What if my cancer is terminal?
Getting the news that cancer has spread and your outlook is terminal is a massive shock for most people. We’re experts in making successful terminal illness claims – with care, compassion, and speed. We know that every day matters.
Many people come to Superlaw Claims asking about TPD for cancer without realising they may qualify for a terminal illness claim under their death insurance cover.
Most super funds include death insurance alongside TPD, and if you receive a terminal diagnosis, you may be able to access that benefit in your lifetime. A terminal illness claim has two important advantages over a TPD claim: the payout is generally not taxable, and it is usually processed faster by the insurer. We can explain all this to you and your loved ones, clearly and sensitively.
If your doctors have raised life expectancy with you, we can discuss this. Our team can speak directly with your medical specialists to get the clarity required to pursue the right type of claim.
FAQs
Yes. You can make a TPD claim while still undergoing treatment if the evidence supports that your inability to work is likely to be permanent.
No, the type of cancer matters less than the functional impact it has on your ability to work. What your treating specialists document about your capacity, rather than the name of your diagnosis, is what insurers and funds are assessing.
A recurrence or the long-term consequences of cancer treatment are both able to support a TPD claim.
The key question is your likely future capacity to work, not the timeline of your original diagnosis. Superlaw Claims can help you understand how your situation works with any cover you have.
No. Super funds do not make TPD claims on your behalf. The fund and its insurers won’t come knocking on your door with money! Claims must be made formally, and this can be complex and stressful.
Yes. Psychological conditions that develop because of a cancer diagnosis or treatment can contribute to a TPD claim, and in some cases can form the basis of a claim on their own. We’ll carefully analyse the medical and psychological situation and advise you.
Yes, this is common. Many people have both types of cover. Sometimes making one type of claim can legally affect the other. We understand the complexities and will advise you on your best options.
Dealing with cancer is hard enough without having to figure out a complex legal and insurance process on top of it.
If you can’t work and aren’t sure where you stand, a free assessment with Superlaw Claims is a simple first step – no stress. Our team has helped thousands of Australians in similar situations find out what they’re entitled to and pursue claims they didn’t know they had. Get in touch – it costs absolutely nothing to find out where you stand.
