TPD and Super Claims: Most Common Questions

TPD insurance is commonly available through superannuation, although not every person has the same cover. The type, amount and terms of insurance depend on the fund and policy. MoneySmart confirms that TPD insurance can be held through super and that policy definitions vary. TPD Insurance Through Super → Check Your TPD Insurance →

Yes, it's possible. If you've changed jobs or super funds, you may have held insurance through more than one account. Each potentially relevant policy needs to be assessed separately according to its terms. Multiple TPD Policies & Super Funds →

Potentially, yes. If you've held TPD insurance under more than one relevant policy, it may be possible for more than one policy to be considered. Whether a claim can be made under each policy depends on the policy terms, cover and circumstances. Multiple TPD Policies & Super Funds →

That does not necessarily mean your previous insurance history is irrelevant. If you've held different super accounts over your working life, it may be worth investigating what insurance existed under those accounts and which entity now administers the relevant fund or policy. Multiple Super Funds & TPD Claims →

You don't need to remember every account before contacting Thrive. Your previous superannuation history can be investigated as part of the claim process once the appropriate authority is in place. Do I Have TPD Insurance Through Super? → Multiple Super Funds →

An inactive or older account may still be relevant. The important issue is whether the account had relevant insurance and whether the applicable policy requirements are satisfied. TPD Insurance Through Super → Multiple TPD Policies →

Possibly. Leaving employment does not automatically mean that a TPD claim is impossible. The relevant circumstances can include when the disability occurred, the applicable policy and whether cover was in force under the relevant terms. TPD After Leaving Work →

Potentially. Changing super funds can be important because previous accounts may have included insurance. TPD After Changing Jobs → Multiple TPD Policies & Super Funds →

Potentially. Income protection and TPD are different types of insurance benefits. Depending on your circumstances, you may have more than one type of cover that needs to be considered. Income Protection Claims → TPD Insurance Through Super →

Potentially. Receiving income protection does not automatically answer whether you have TPD cover or whether you satisfy a TPD policy definition. Your policies and circumstances need to be considered separately. Income Protection Claims → Can I Claim TPD? →

No. You can contact Thrive even if you're unsure which super fund you held or whether you had TPD insurance. Check TPD Insurance Through Super → Contact Thrive →

That's common. The policy wording is important because TPD definitions and requirements can differ between policies. Thrive can help identify the relevant insurance information as part of the claim process. TPD Insurance Through Super → Can I Claim TPD? →

Medical evidence is usually an important part of a TPD claim. Depending on your circumstances, evidence may include reports or information from your GP, treating specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, hospitals and other treating practitioners. The relevant evidence depends on the policy and circumstances of the claim. TPD Medical Evidence →

Often, yes. The insurer may require medical information that explains your condition, treatment, prognosis, functional restrictions and ability to work. TPD Medical Reports → TPD Medical Evidence →

No. A diagnosis establishes that a medical condition exists, but the claim may also require evidence about how that condition affects your functional capacity and ability to work. What Medical Evidence Matters? → TPD Work Capacity Evidence →

That does not necessarily prevent you from making an enquiry. The appropriate evidence depends on your circumstances, and missing information can sometimes be identified and addressed during the claim process. TPD Claim Documents → TPD Medical Evidence →

Possibly. Insurers may require medical evidence from treating practitioners or other medical professionals. Thrive can help coordinate the information required for the claim. TPD Medical Evidence → TPD Medical Reports →

The documents vary depending on the claim. They may include medical evidence, employment information, identification, superannuation information, insurance information and documents requested by the fund or insurer. TPD Claim Documents Checklist →

Work capacity evidence helps explain how your illness or injury affects your ability to perform work. It can be particularly important where the assessment depends on your ability to perform your previous occupation or another occupation for which you may be reasonably suited. TPD Work Capacity Evidence →

It can depend on the policy and circumstances. Relevant evidence may address diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, restrictions, prognosis, functional capacity and work capacity. For mental health claims, evidence may address issues such as concentration, stress tolerance, reliability, attendance, decision-making and ability to maintain employment. For physical conditions, it may address mobility, lifting, sitting, standing, reaching, endurance and pain. What Insurers Consider in TPD Medical Evidence →

Yes, potentially. You do not necessarily need to have one condition responsible for your entire work incapacity. Multiple conditions may contribute to your overall circumstances. TPD Claims Involving Multiple Conditions →

It depends on your circumstances and the relevant policy. A TPD assessment may consider your current condition, prognosis, treatment, functional restrictions and capacity for work. TPD Medical Evidence →

Don't ignore the request. Additional information requests can be an ordinary part of a claim. The request should be reviewed carefully so the relevant information is provided appropriately. TPD Claim Documents → TPD Medical Evidence →

Additional medical evidence may be required depending on the claim. The important issue is understanding what the insurer is asking for and why it's relevant to the policy assessment. TPD Medical Evidence → TPD Medical Reports →

A TPD claim is generally made against the relevant superannuation fund and/or insurer rather than against your employer. However, your employment circumstances can be relevant to the assessment of your claim. TPD Claims While Working → Work Capacity Evidence →

Not necessarily. Whether you need to stop working depends on your circumstances and the definition contained in your policy. Some people continue working with reduced hours or modified duties while their circumstances are assessed. Can I Claim TPD While Working? →

Possibly. A return to work does not automatically answer whether a TPD claim is available. The circumstances of the return, your ongoing capacity and the relevant policy definition may all matter. TPD While Working →

Possibly. Modified or lighter duties can be relevant to understanding your work capacity. The key question remains whether your circumstances satisfy the relevant policy definition. TPD Claims While Working → Work Capacity Evidence →

Possibly. Self-employment does not automatically prevent a TPD claim. Your actual work duties, capacity and the definition in your policy need to be considered. Can I Claim TPD? → TPD Work Capacity Evidence →

Potentially. Attempts to return to work can be relevant evidence when assessing your actual work capacity. TPD Work Capacity Evidence → TPD While Working →

Potentially. Your employment history, previous occupation, current occupation and policy definition may all be relevant. TPD After Changing Jobs → Work Capacity Evidence →

There's no fixed timeframe for every claim. Many TPD claims take approximately 3–12 months, but the actual timeframe can depend on the fund, insurer, evidence requirements and complexity of the individual claim. How Long Does a TPD Claim Take? →

TPD claims can involve multiple stages and information requests. Delays can arise from medical evidence, employment information, insurer requirements, fund processing, additional questions or other issues specific to the claim. Why Is My TPD Claim Delayed? → TPD Claim Timeframes →

Generally, the process involves assessing your circumstances, identifying relevant cover, gathering the required evidence, preparing the claim, submitting it and managing communications with the relevant fund and insurer. How the TPD Claim Process Works →

A rejection is not necessarily the end of the matter. The first step is understanding why the claim was rejected. The reason may relate to policy wording, work capacity, permanence, medical evidence, occupation, conflicting evidence or missing information. My TPD Claim Was Rejected →

Potentially. The appropriate next step depends on the reason for the rejection and the relevant complaint, review or appeal process. How to Appeal a TPD Claim Rejection → What to Do After a TPD Rejection →

The first step is to understand what's causing the delay. The delay may relate to outstanding medical evidence, insurer enquiries, fund processing or other information requirements. TPD Claim Delayed → TPD Claim Timeframes →

There's no single standard TPD payout. The amount depends on the insurance cover attached to the relevant policy or policies. If you have multiple policies, the potential overall entitlement may involve more than one policy, subject to the terms and circumstances of each. TPD Payouts in Australia → TPD Payout Through Superannuation → Multiple TPD Policies →

Potentially. If you held relevant TPD cover under more than one policy, each policy may need to be considered separately. Multiple TPD Policies & Super Funds →

Often, where the TPD insurance is attached to superannuation. The insurance benefit and the payment of your superannuation interest are separate aspects of the process, and the exact process depends on the fund and circumstances. TPD Payout Through Superannuation → TPD Insurance Through Super →

It can depend on the circumstances. The tax treatment of a superannuation disability benefit can depend on factors including your age, the type of benefit and whether it qualifies as a disability superannuation benefit. The ATO provides specific rules for disability superannuation benefits, including rules that can increase the tax-free component of certain lump-sum benefits. Because tax treatment is individual, we recommend obtaining appropriate tax or financial advice about your particular circumstances. TPD Payout Through Superannuation →

No. No legitimate assessment can guarantee that an insurer will approve an individual TPD claim before the relevant policy, evidence and circumstances have been properly considered. We can assess your circumstances, explain the potential issues and manage the claim process where we believe the matter is appropriate for our service. TPD Eligibility →

It depends on what benefit was paid, why it was paid and what insurance remains relevant. Your individual circumstances and policy history need to be assessed. TPD Payout Through Super → Multiple Super Funds →

Potentially. A previous rejection should be examined carefully to understand the reason for the decision and whether there's a basis for review, appeal or further action. TPD Claim Rejected → TPD Claim Appeal →

You should find out what's causing the delay. A delay can result from outstanding evidence, insurer enquiries, fund processing or other issues. TPD Claim Delayed →

There's nothing to pay upfront. Thrive Claims operates on a No Win, No Fee basis. The fee applicable to your matter is quoted in writing before work begins and locked in for the life of your claim. See Our Fee Structure →

Because TPD claims can differ substantially in complexity and the work required. The applicable fee is therefore quoted according to the circumstances and work involved. You should know the applicable fee before you decide to proceed. Our No Win, No Fee Structure →

No. Our fee is provided in writing before work begins, with no surprise charges along the way. See Our Fee Structure →

Under Thrive's No Win, No Fee arrangement, you do not pay our fee if the claim does not succeed. The precise terms of the arrangement should be explained to you before you proceed. No Win, No Fee →

No. Your initial assessment is free and there's no obligation to proceed. Contact Thrive Claims → Check Your Potential Eligibility →

Not necessarily. Many TPD claims can be managed without court proceedings or a lawyer. Where a matter is disputed or particularly complex, Thrive can work with legal partners where appropriate. Our Legal Partners → How the Claim Process Works →

A lawyer may become relevant where a matter involves a dispute, complex legal issue or other circumstances where legal assistance is appropriate. Clients are advised if legal involvement is considered necessary, and partnering lawyers may assist with disputed or highly complex matters. Thrive Legal Partners →

Thrive can assist with understanding your circumstances, investigating potentially relevant insurance, coordinating evidence and managing the claim process. How Thrive Claims Works → Medical Evidence → Claim Documents → Work Capacity Evidence →

Yes. You can generally choose how you pursue your claim. The benefit of using a specialist is having assistance with the investigation, evidence, process and communications. How Thrive Claims Works → Thrive's Fee Structure →

Yes. Your personal and claim information is handled in line with our Privacy Policy and shared only with the parties necessary to progress your claim.

Yes, receiving DSP does not automatically prevent you from making a TPD claim. DSP and TPD are separate systems with different eligibility rules. However, a TPD payout may have consequences for your broader financial circumstances, so it's sensible to consider your individual circumstances before and after a payout. Services Australia confirms DSP is subject to its own medical, income, assets and other eligibility rules. TPD Claims for DSP Recipients →

It can depend on your circumstances and how the payment is treated under Centrelink's income and assets tests. Because the interaction can depend on your individual circumstances, we recommend checking directly with Services Australia or obtaining appropriate financial advice before relying on a general answer. TPD and DSP →

Yes, being an NDIS participant does not automatically prevent you from having or pursuing a TPD claim. TPD insurance and NDIS support operate under different systems. TPD Claims for NDIS Participants →

A TPD payment does not automatically mean your NDIS plan will stop, but the interaction between compensation and NDIS funding can depend on your circumstances. If you receive a TPD payout, you should disclose relevant information to the NDIS and obtain advice about your individual circumstances. TPD and NDIS →

They're three different systems. DSP is a Centrelink payment subject to eligibility rules including medical, income, assets and residence requirements. NDIS provides funding for eligible disability supports based on the NDIS framework. TPD is insurance cover that may provide a lump-sum benefit where the relevant policy definition of total and permanent disability is satisfied. TPD for DSP Recipients → TPD for NDIS Participants →