Can you claim TPD after a stroke?
Yes. A stroke can cause lasting physical and cognitive changes that prevent a return to work, and these can support a total and permanent disability (TPD) claim. Both visible effects, like weakness or paralysis, and less visible ones, like memory loss, fatigue or speech difficulties, are relevant.
How a stroke affects your ability to work
- weakness, paralysis or reduced coordination on one side
- difficulty with speech, language or communication
- problems with memory, concentration and decision-making
- fatigue, vision changes and slower processing
- emotional and psychological effects after a stroke
What matters for a claim
TPD policies vary, but the questions that usually matter are:
- you have stopped working, and a return to your usual work is unlikely
- your condition is ongoing or expected to be permanent
- you had cover at the time you stopped work (or when your stroke occurred)
- you meet the policy's definition of permanent disability — which varies by fund
- you have supporting medical evidence from your treating doctors
Don't overlook the cognitive effects
Stroke claims sometimes focus only on physical recovery. Memory, fatigue, communication and mood changes can be just as disabling for work — and they belong in the medical evidence.
Related situations we see
- younger people who have had a stroke and assume cover doesn't apply
- partial recovery where someone can't return to their old role
- stroke alongside heart disease or high blood pressure
What ClaimSure does
We help you take the first practical step. In a Free Claim Check, we look at your situation, help identify what insurance you may already have across your super accounts, and give you clear next steps in plain English. If your matter needs legal or specialist support, we'll refer you to a trusted provider.