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Dandelion's avatar
Dandelion
Member
8 years ago

Income protection/tpd cover

hi all 
christmans 2016 went on holidays from work , (work in disability which is very emotionally and physically demanding) only to be dx with bc. Feel ripped off have exhausted all sick pay and holiday pay (was a holiday from hell)
after having a mastecemony , axillary clearance , zoladex  2nd cycle and now at radiationion stage.
 Feel like crap and financially Broke . 
I have oncology appointment tomorrow which likely will start arimadex .
Later in year will have diep reconstruction. 
i phoned up my super fund a few weeks back thinking to cash in and get some money to survive s few months only to be pleasantly surprised I have income protection and tpd cover. 
There is heaps of paperwork involved and don't even know  if I qualify . 
What I do know is that regardless I don't see myself returning to such work as  I don't feel physically and emotionally for such s big responsibility . 
Onyone been down this road ? With some advise

26 Replies

  • Im with Vicsuper, I didnt look into the TPD, I just read up on what the general guidelines are and its pretty hard to get it. I also couldnt access any super either. Mine is 2yrs which has been great, though they only pay up to 65% of your full time wage at the time you stopped working. I can still do my job but maybe in a different type of school setting, I also have an office background too. There are other things I can do, but not sure yet. 

    Your Oncologist/Surgeon should all have copies of all reports, any biopsies you had done, lumpectomy and diagnosis is what they will need. 

    Sure sing out if you need help :) Melinda xo
  • @melclarity, thank you so much .
    I think many are an aware they have income protection and surprised/relieved when finding out. Lucky I didn't withdraw and close my account as I seriously had no idea I had these extra .
    Mine reads I have two years protection , but that is a shame about the tpd particularly when your oncologist has stated you cannot continue with your work . Doesn't seem fair to be rejected. I wonder if that is your fund or all funds . I'm with first health super . 
    Geez Melinda what are you going to do about work ? 
    I'm trying to think up new brain waves but planning the week meals is proving challenging at the moment for me . 
    I got motivated today and sorted out my paper work and will bring in forms to my oncologist tomorrow and see what she says. 
    Thanks I might get back to you with more questions xxxx 

  • @Dandelion Ive been down this road and luckily still have income protection until January 2018. I work in education and my Vic Super also had the component of income protection, I didnt find this til nearly 12 months after my diagnosis and 6 months after treatment. I too exhausted all leave grrrr!!!! BUT it is alot of paperwork but do not get overwhelmed firstly! Step through each one, I had to include reports from both my Surgeon and Oncologist and I had 6yrs worth eventhough this was the first time applying for my 2nd diagnosis in 2015. Its through AMP and my Case Manager is amazing!! I work currently 3 days a week but cannot manage 5 as like you my job with Autistic Children is too demanding! I would have liked to have looked at TPD as my Oncologist said I cannot continue to do this work. The super has some tough guidelines though unless I had metastatic BC I wouldnt qualify. Happy to help you, feel free to contact with any queries at all that I can help. Hugs Melinda xo
  • Thanks so much @Scooper, I sent you a pm :) 

    WOW @nikkid your so right about the guilt . That I need to work on . I'd be more than happy to pay them to take away the cancer dx so your right this is my entitlement .
     Thank you for the tips yes I will try and get a diary that's organised , Iv just shoved everything in a folder x 
  • Hi @Dandelion...I have income protection and had the same response when my GP asked if I had it...I said "I'm not sick enough" and her response was "OMG Nikki...you've got breast cancer!!!" The forms are a pain, but we've more or less gotten into the rhythm of filling them out every 3 months.

    Here's my advice:
    - meet with your GP monthly
    - keep a record of all medical appointments (I type them up as an attachment to the form...they seriously cannot argue with this)
    - try and ensure you have a case manager for whom you have a phone number, or at the very least, a direct email
    - be confident that your diagnosis does fit under the impairment definitions
    - do not feel guilty - this is your right, not your privilege and part of your cover as part of your super

    Nxx
  • Hello! I have just gone through the process! It does take a little time and effort but is worth it! Send me a pm if you would like me to elaborate further.  Take care.
    kind wishes Sandra