Severe Financial Hardship

Severe Financial Hardship

Your superannuation is designed to provide for you in retirement, but we know times can get tough.

If you find yourself in severe financial hardship, you may be eligible to access your super early.

What qualifies as severe financial hardship?

If you haven’t reached your Commonwealth Government Preservation age -

  1. You need to be in receipt of Government income support payments for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks; and
  2. You are unable to meet reasonable and immediate family expenses.

OR, if you have reached your Commonwealth Government Preservation age -

  1. You need to be in receipt of Government income support payments for a continuous period of 39 weeks after you reached your preservation age; and
  2. You are not gainfully employed on a full-time or part-time basis.

  • You’ll need to complete an application form, and provide the required evidence to support your application.

    And, you can only apply once within a 12 month calendar period.

    Please contact us on (08) 8214 7800 to discuss your eligibility.

    If the application is approved due to severe financial hardship, you will receive a single lump sum payment (gross of tax) of between $1,000 and $10,000 if you are under your Commonwealth Government Preservation age.

    If you are over your Commonwealth Government Preservation age, there are no caps on the amount you can request.

    • Completed Early Release of Superannuation Benefits on Specified Grounds form.
    • Certified copy of Proof of Identity (refer to Proof of identify factsheet)
    • Written evidence from Centrelink that you are in receipt of Commonwealth Government income support payments
      • Attach the original copy of the Q230 or Q251 Centrelink letter which must be dated no more than 21 days before the date you lodge your application
      • Contact us to confirm which Commonwealth Income Support Payments are accepted under the Severe Financial Hardship definition.

    If you are under the preservation age you will also be required to provide:

    • Copies of evidence to support the application* (ie. utilities, outstanding bills and expenses in your name).
    • Full and current bank statements for the last three months for all accounts in your name and your partner’s name*

    Have more questions? Have a look at these FAQs for answers.


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The superannuation schemes administered by Super SA are exempt public sector superannuation schemes and are not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Super SA is not required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence to provide general advice about a Super SA product. The information in this publication is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Super SA recommends that before making any decisions about its products you consider the appropriateness of this information in the context of your own objectives, financial situation, and needs, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), and seek financial advice from a licensed financial adviser in relation to your financial position and requirements.

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