Accessing Superannuation for IVF purposes.

[Blossom74]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for starting the thread and running!

We decided against applying for our early release of super. Instead we sought and obtained funding from the bank for our next cycle.

The thing that really put me off was that I had to get a letter from my GP and my FS stating that I was suffering mental/emotional trauma due to not being able to have a baby.

Now, I've been through some sh!t in my time, don't get me wrong. I've miscarried our only baby and it damn near killed me.

But I refuse to paint myself as a victim. I'm sad that I'm not yet holding a baby in my arms, but I'm not suffering depression. Plus, I had other options. I fully support anyone who due to emotional and financial issues chooses to go this route, but it wasn't for me - yet.

So purely on principle, we didn't apply for early release of super.

All the very best to everyone,


Blossom

[Blossom74]

Girls were also thinking of doing this.. What do they charge for the service?

We're doing an FET in August but if it's not successful will probably want to do another full stim with a new FS in sept/October. We're going overseas to see family and won't be back till end of July- does it take long to find out if your successful from start to finish?

And how do they decide how much money you can access? Can you say for example 'we'd like to do 2 full stims'???

Sorry for the 20 questions! Haven't come across anyone who's done this before!

Hi hon

From what I've heard it costs around $1,000 to use Supercare or a similar agency to apply on your behalf. That being said, you can access the forms from DHS I believe, and do them yourselves for free.

There are limits on how much you can access too. I *think* from memory I read that the maximum was around the $10K mark but I could be wrong on that.

[bubbles21]

Girls were also thinking of doing this.. What do they charge for the service?

We're doing an FET in August but if it's not successful will probably want to do another full stim with a new FS in sept/October. We're going overseas to see family and won't be back till end of July- does it take long to find out if your successful from start to finish?

And how do they decide how much money you can access? Can you say for example 'we'd like to do 2 full stims'???

Sorry for the 20 questions! Haven't come across anyone who's done this before!

So supercare charge $1000 and the psychiatrist charges $450-500. You need his report and not just the early release of super form. But if you don't get approved supercare will give you a full refund. And if you do get approved you still get Medicare rebate which you can keep and use however you like. I personally have no other choice because I can't get a bank loan so I'm trying to get my super out

[kuwtk]

From my understanding they send you to one of their known psychiatrists as apparently they know what to put on the report to ensure everything gets approved.

[littlerayofsunshine87]

Littlerayofsunshine did you get any Medicare rebate from your appointment with Dr gallogly? He said I can just get the referral later but I was wondering how I can get a rebate when the referral won't be for the right date

Hi bubbles to be honest I haven't tried yet. But I imagine you would be able to. You would just use the date on the receipt from him I would think. 😊

[littlerayofsunshine87]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for starting the thread and running!

We decided against applying for our early release of super. Instead we sought and obtained funding from the bank for our next cycle.

The thing that really put me off was that I had to get a letter from my GP and my FS stating that I was suffering mental/emotional trauma due to not being able to have a baby.

Now, I've been through some sh!t in my time, don't get me wrong. I've miscarried our only baby and it damn near killed me.

But I refuse to paint myself as a victim. I'm sad that I'm not yet holding a baby in my arms, but I'm not suffering depression. Plus, I had other options. I fully support anyone who due to emotional and financial issues chooses to go this route, but it wasn't for me - yet.

So purely on principle, we didn't apply for early release of super.

All the very best to everyone,


Blossom

Hi Blossom, I appreciate the reply. I also understand where your coming from, I felt uneasy about it as well. Similar to you I know I am not depressed or someone suffering from anxiety and was worried that this would be used. It wasn't thankfully. It also wasn't written as I was suffering emotional trauma. But we were still successful. Hope your going well in your IVF travels x

[littlerayofsunshine87]

Girls were also thinking of doing this.. What do they charge for the service?

We're doing an FET in August but if it's not successful will probably want to do another full stim with a new FS in sept/October. We're going overseas to see family and won't be back till end of July- does it take long to find out if your successful from start to finish?

And how do they decide how much money you can access? Can you say for example 'we'd like to do 2 full stims'???

Sorry for the 20 questions! Haven't come across anyone who's done this before!

Hi Charlie,

In a nutshell the process goes like this...

You seek out Supercare. Their fee is $980. If you are unsuccessful in your application you get this fee returned.

You speak with them and they will suss out your Superannuation company you use and whether they allow access etc.

From there you see a psychiatrist, I used one they recommend, I can't comment on whether you have to use them as I just went with it.

He then writes a report in which you have to take to your GP to verify and co sign. While there you have to take your ERS form( early release of super form). You have to fill out one part and your GP has to fill out other parts (Supercare provide you instructions on all of this).

Your FS has to have a treatment plan ordered for you. And your IVF clinic will have a detailed quote which Supercare obtain. Once all that's through Supercare give you the details on how much they're applying for for you. Then it's all lodged via MyGov-you have to allow Supercare to your login to submit it for you.

Now the dept of human services says an application can take up to 28 days. However Supercare can get this fast tracked to 10 days. Mine took about this.

So I guess in answer it's a longish process you would want to start early prior to starting your cycle.

I will say Supercare were worth the money in my opinion. It was stress free and they were fantastic at communicating. I looked at doing it ourselves and it was way to difficult and stressful.

Best of luck xx

[bubbles21]

Littlerayofsunshine how did everything work out with your super actually paying you out? Did you get the approved amount minus tax or did they give you extra so that you would have the full amount you need even after they've taxed it?

[littlerayofsunshine87]

Haven't received the funds yet as my letter of approval had the wrong address number on it. Waiting for a new hard copy to come by snail mail and then I'll lodge it all with my super. Will let you know

[bubbles21]

Littlerayofsunshine my application got approved as well! Yay!!