Most TPD policies don't let you lodge the moment you stop work. They require a waiting period of continuous incapacity first, to help confirm that your condition is permanent.
The common waiting periods
The two most common waiting periods are 3 months and 6 months of continuous inability to work. The exact period is set out in your policy's Product Disclosure Statement.
When does the clock start?
The waiting period generally runs from your date of disablement — the date you became unable to work — not the date of your original injury. For conditions that worsen gradually, this is often the date a specialist records that a return to work isn't going to happen.
It doesn't shorten your claim window
The waiting period just sets the earliest date you can lodge. It doesn't extend any time limits that may apply — see TPD claim time limits. If you've been unable to work for several months with a permanent condition, it's worth starting the conversation now.
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