Autoimmune diseases — where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues — include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, myositis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome and many others. These conditions vary greatly in severity, but when they cause significant, lasting functional impairment, they can form the basis of a TPD claim.
The key: functional impact, not the diagnosis
TPD policies don't have a list of qualifying diagnoses. They assess whether your specific condition has permanently prevented you from working. Autoimmune diseases that cause progressive joint destruction, organ damage, nerve involvement or severe fatigue are well-recognised in disability claims.
What distinguishes a strong autoimmune TPD claim
- Evidence that standard treatments have not controlled the condition adequately
- Specialist documentation of disease activity and functional limitations
- Records of the impact on your ability to perform work tasks
- A clear specialist opinion that improvement to a level enabling employment is unlikely
Don't overlook flare-based conditions
The unpredictability of autoimmune conditions — where you may have some good days and many bad days — can actually be used to demonstrate that you cannot maintain reliable employment, which is what TPD claims require. Check your position with a free eligibility check.