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Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is confronting and can be a distressing time, with increased medical care and a focus to prioritise the things that are important to you and your loved ones.

A terminal illness benefit payment can help to ease some of the financial worries by providing early access to your super and an insured benefit if you’re insured.

And while every claim can be different depending on personal circumstances, we treat all of our claimants with compassion, dignity and respect. We’re here to support you, every step of the way.

Download the handbook

For a detailed guide on the claims process and the steps you need to take, please download our handbook.

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Your guide to the claims process

At every stage of the claims process, we’re here to support you and progress your claim as quickly as possible. Our Making a terminal illness claim video provides an overview of our claims process, and if you would like more details, please refer to our Making a terminal illness claim handbook

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How the claims process works

Every claim is different, and the time it takes to assess a claim can vary. But in each case, we’re here to make the process as straightforward as we can. We follow a 5-step claims process 

Claims process diagram

Things to know before you lodge a claim

If you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and two registered medical practitioners have certified that you’re suffering from an illness or injury that will likely reduce your life expectancy to 24 months or less. A terminal illness benefit can be made up of:

  • the early release of your super account balance (less any charges or taxes that may apply), and
  • advance payment of any death insurance cover you may have.

Any insured death benefit you receive will be subject to assessment and approval by the insurer. Your eligibility for a benefit, and the amount received, will be determined based on the latest date of diagnosis on the certificates provided by your two registered medical practitioners.

If your claim is approved, the death benefit will be paid into your super account and will form part of your total account balance.

Important note: If you withdraw your entire super account balance before any insured benefit is potentially approved, your super account will be closed, and your insurance cover will lapse. This means you will no longer be eligible for a death benefit, as the cover must be active on the on the date your treating doctor and specialist provide certification of your life expectancy.

You may be eligible to claim for the early access of your super account balance (tax free) due to a terminal medical condition under superannuation law.

In accordance with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994, the Catholic Super Trustee will assess and determine your eligibility if:

  • two registered medical practitioners certify (jointly or separately) that you suffer from an illness, or has incurred an injury, that is likely to result in your death within a period that ends not more than 24 months after the date of certification (the ‘certification period’)
  • at least one of the medical practitioners is a specialist practising in an area related to your illness or injury, and
  • the certification period has not ended.

Once we receive this certification the Trustee of Catholic Super will review your claim in line with the early release provisions set out in superannuation law, and the Catholic Super Trust Deed.

You can find more information about Making a terminal illness claim handbook.

We aim to finalise claims as quickly as possible. In most cases, TI claims are finalised within two months after all the necessary documentation has been submitted. However, the timeframe may vary depending on the complexity of the claim and the availability of information required from you and your treating doctors and specialists.

If your claim is approved, and you choose to withdraw your benefit within 24 months of certification, you’ll receive your account balance and any insured benefit (if applicable) as a tax-free lump sum payment.

After the 24-month certification period you can still access any remaining funds you have not withdrawn, although they may not be tax free. Any new contributions and investment earnings received after the 24-month certification period can’t be withdrawn until you’ve reached age 65, or you’ve retired from the workforce, or you meet a condition of release.

There’s no waiting period to make a terminal illness claim.

Taking care of you

Having to stop work because of an illness or injury can be stressful for you as well as your family. And going through the process of making an insurance claim can seem like an additional challenge. Our team is here to help guide you and ensure the claims process is as easy and straightforward as possible

  • Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 (available 24 hours)
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 (available 24 hours)
  • MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 (available 24 hours)
  • Thirrili on 1800 805 801 – support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities (available 24 hours)

Speak to our team

Making a claim can be a difficult and emotional process.

Whenever you’re ready, or if you need some guidance, please call us on: 1300 655 002

Monday to Friday between 8:30am-6:00pm AET. 

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Are you a First Nations person or experiencing difficulty providing documents

If you’re having trouble providing the required documents or proof of your identity, please give our team a call
on 1300 655 002, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm AET

Call 1300 655 002
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