How To Speed Up Your TPD Claim Processing Time
A Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim can provide crucial financial support if an injury or illness leaves you unable to return to your job — or any similar work suited to your skills, training, or experience.
However, getting your TPD benefit isn’t as simple as just filing a claim. You’ll need solid evidence that proves the long-term impact your condition has on your ability to work.
While the process can take time, our expert TPD lawyers have developed strategies to speed up your claim. Keep reading to discover our proven techniques for getting your TPD claim approved quickly, including examples of speedy results we’ve achieved for our clients.
If you’re looking to make a TPD claim or if your insurer is delaying your claim, reach out today. In a free consultation, we’ll walk you through your rights and the best approach to get your claim approved fast.
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TPD claim example: Maria secures $364k benefit in 2 months
This recent client success story highlights how our proven TPD claim strategies help fast-track results and secure the financial support our clients deserve.
Maria’s story
Maria was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia — two chronic pain conditions that left her unable to continue working as an administrative assistant. She ceased work in October 2019 and had been under significant financial strain ever since.
Starting the TPD claim process
When Maria reached out to us, we immediately got to work investigating and preparing her TPD claim. One of the first hurdles was a standard insurer request for her tax records from the year she stopped working.
Since Maria hadn’t filed tax returns due to having no taxable income, we guided her to provide a non-lodgement notice instead. This — coupled with the strong medical evidence our TPD lawyers pulled together — was enough to satisfy the insurer’s request and prove she had stopped working due to get condition.
From there, we maintained regular contact with the super fund — calling within a week of lodging the claim to confirm all required documents had been received and to keep the process moving.
How we avoided delays to her TPD claim
We made it clear to the insurer that Maria was experiencing financial hardship and emotional stress due to her extended time out of work. By consistently following up and swiftly responding to any additional evidence requests, we kept the pressure on and the claim on track.
Thanks to our proactive approach, Maria’s claim progressed smoothly and without delay. At every stage of her claim, we made sure to keep Maria in the loop.
Maria’s final TPD claim payout
Maria received a TPD benefit of just under $364,000 — a life-changing result that now allows her to support herself and cover ongoing medical expenses.
You can read more TPD client case studies here.
What’s the average TPD claim processing time?
Most TPD claims are finalised within about 6 months from the date they’re lodged. For more complex cases, it can take up to 12 months for the insurer to make a decision.
However, working with a specialist TPD lawyer can significantly speed things up. With our experience and thorough preparation, we get even complex claims approved much faster.
What factors can affect my TPD claim time frame?
The time it takes to process a TPD claim can vary, and several key factors come into play:
1. The size of your payout
Larger TPD claims often face more scrutiny. Insurers may delay processing by requesting extra medical exams or challenging the evidence from your doctor. These tactics are common when big payouts are involved, but a strong legal team can help cut through the red tape.
2. The severity of your condition
Serious injuries or illnesses typically require more extensive evidence. This can lead to extra assessments, insurer investigations, or even retraining requests. Some of these steps are necessary — others aren’t. An expert TPD lawyer can help you push back on unreasonable delays.
3. Your policy’s wording
Each policy defines ‘TPD’ in a different way. If your policy has a broad definition of TPD, your claim may be easier (and quicker) to prove. In contrast, stricter definitions often require more evidence and take longer to resolve.
4. How well your claim is prepared
A well-prepared claim makes all the difference. If paperwork is incomplete or evidence is lacking, your insurer may delay things for months or even years. That’s why we recommend working with a lawyer who knows exactly what insurers are looking for — and how to handle delay tactics.
If your insurer keeps dragging their feet, we won’t hesitate to escalate the matter to the Ombudsman or Tribunal. Our priority is making sure you get the benefit you’re entitled to — without the unnecessary wait.
