Published: 16 December 2016
Author: Stringer Clark

The holiday season is a tough time for anyone on WorkCover or TAC

The holiday season is a time of great festivity and celebration, however it is also a time when many in our community also quietly feel the burden of financial pressure.

Spare a thought for those families trying to survive this period on WorkCover or TAC payments due to accidents and injury, receiving only 80% of the income they received prior to being injured.

A few ways to reduce your expenses if you are on WorkCover

Many people on WorkCover do not claim the medical and like expenses they are entitled to because they are not aware of their rights.

At the start of their claim it may seem like too much of a hassle to claim prescription medication, travel to doctors and home help or gardening expenses. However, over time these expenses all add up. By claiming these entitlements you can put a little extra cash in your pocket, which will be handy especially when things are financially stretched during the holiday season.

Ways to easily claim expenses 

Many chemists will bulk bill directly to WorkCover or TAC, so do some research and see if this service is available in your community and this will make claiming process easier.

To obtain any medical and like services you must make a request via your General Practitioner. If this is not accepted, follow up with a phone call and if you fail to get a response or your request is denied seek legal advice on having the decision reviewed or appealing your decision.

Taking care of yourself this Christmas

There is increasing research to suggest that the psychological impact of an injury can be as challenging as the physical injury.

If you are suffering from an injury this festive season, be sure to take time out to look after your mental health. What this looks likes varies for each and individual and may vary from a walk in nature to booking an appointment with a friend or a counselor or treating yourself to some pampering.

Some clients suggest that simply setting aside 30 minutes per day to do something nice for themselves can make all the difference in making their recovery more manageable.

If you’re not sure on your legal rights associated with an injury, please don’t hesitate to call your local Stringer Clark firm. Our offices are located in Warrnambool, Geelong, Ballarat, Portland, Colac, Ararat and Hamilton.