Policyholders who may be eligible for assistance under the HIH Claims Support Scheme through the late application gateway have until November 17 to submit their applications.

Since the scheme began in 2001, the Federal Government-funded scheme has received 15,219 applications for assistance and has paid $490 million to former HIH Insurance policyholders.

As expected after this length of time, applications for assistance through the late application gateway have declined markedly.

Assistant Treasurer Peter Dutton says future claims for assistance by former HIH policyholders will be considered only in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.