Superannuation

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing your experience in the online network. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a difficult time. Unfortunately from what we have heard amongst our members your experiences are not uncommon and this is backed up by some of the responses you received on you posts. Many have had similar difficulties with accessing their superannuation and government benefits through Centrelink.

I don’t know if you have tried this already, but you can apply through the Department of Human Services to have part of your superannuation released on compassionate grounds. There is some information about this on our website and the number to call at the Department of Human Services for more information is 1300 131 060.

You might be interested to learn that BCNA has recently completed some research into the financial impact of a diagnosis of breast cancer. As part of these study we have made some recommendations, including that Centrelink provides specialist chronic illness liaison officers who would be trained to help people with cancer (and other chronic illnesses) navigate the various entitlements and benefits that are available to assist them. We hope that having additional support and information will help to streamline the process of getting benefits to people who are in need and entitled sooner. In the coming months we will be discussing this recommendation with government to work out how to implement it. We have prepared some financial tips for people who have breast cancer which you might like to look at.

In the meantime, it does sound like some addition support would be helpful to you and or your husband, so can I suggest you contact Cancer Council who offer telephone support for someone to chat with and talk through your concerns and they may be able to support you through a financial hardship program they run. You can contact them on 13 11 20 or visit their website www.cancer.org.au.