If you’ve stopped working and haven’t contributed to your superannuation for some time, you might assume your Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) cover has lapsed.

But in Australia, many people are surprised to discover they’re still eligible to claim TPD insurance, even years after they last worked.

In this article, we’ll explain how TPD cover works, how to check if you’re still eligible, and what to do if you’ve stopped paying super but believe you qualify for a payout.

Most Australians have TPD insurance automatically included in their super fund.

It pays out a lump sum (often hundreds of thousands of dollars) if you become totally and permanently unable to work due to illness or injury.

This can apply to both physical and psychological conditions.

Not always. Many people assume that once they stop contributing to their super, their insurance is automatically cancelled.

But most funds include a grace period (sometimes many months) before cancelling TPD insurance.

So long as you held insurance at the date you last worked or became totally and permanently disabled, you will still be covered. If your account is now closed or inactive, the key is whether your policy was active at the time you became disabled or last worked.

Many Australians have more than one super fund from having different jobs.

Even if you only ever paid a small amount into a fund, it might have included automatic TPD insurance.

We often help clients uncover forgotten policies with substantial benefits still available.

To make a successful TPD claim after you’ve stopped paying super, you’ll need to show:

• That your condition prevented you from returning to work in your usual occupation
• That your TPD insurance policy was active at the date or your disability and/or last date worked
• Medical evidence of your medical conditions including reports from your treating doctor and specialist
• Employment records or Centrelink documents that show when you stopped working

Getting the dates and documents right is critical, especially for lapsed or closed accounts.

There’s no strict statutory time limit, but waiting too long can sometimes make your case more difficult.

Super funds may also argue that key documents are missing.

We recommend getting legal advice as soon as possible, even if you think your insurance has lapsed.

• We specialise in TPD claims involving inactive, lapsed or multiple super accounts.
• We can track down old policies and help prove eligibility.
• We work with your doctors and the super fund to prepare and lodge your claim.
• We offer free claim checks and work on a no win, no fee basis.

Don’t assume your insurance is gone just because you stopped paying super.

If you’ve been unable to work due to a serious illness or injury, you could still be entitled to a significant TPD payout.

Get in touch today for a confidential claim check. Our South Australian personal injury lawyers  will help you recover what’s rightfully yours.