MenuThe Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has today announced that it will launch a pilot Pro Bono Financial Planning Referral Service with Cancer Council.
The nationally structured referral program will help families affected by cancer who are unable to afford the cost of financial advice, by connecting them with financial planners who can provide their services on a pro bono basis.
By facilitating the provision of these services, the program aims to contribute to the wellbeing of people affected by cancer by reducing stress and financial burden.
Commenting on the launch of the program, Dante De Gori CFP®, FPA CEO, said: “In a report prepared for Cancer Council, Access Economics estimated the average cost of a cancer diagnosis to be almost $50,000.
“Many people simply cannot afford to resolve the financial issues that need to be addressed during this stressful time. Financial planners can make a huge difference to families in need of assistance. To continue the good work Cancer Council are doing, we need more financial planners to become involved.
“We are calling on FPA members to come forward and generously donate their time to assist cancer patients and their families with a wide range of financial issues on a pro bono basis.”
These issues may include:
- Accessing Centrelink benefits
- Applying for early access to superannuation and attached insurance benefits
- Developing a strategy for investing lump sum insurance payouts
- Developing a budget and ensuring regular cash-flow
- Planning for the financial future of their family.
“Open to CFP® Professional and Financial Planner AFP® membership categories, the program provides our members with an opportunity to use their professional skills to make a difference and strengthen their relationship with the local community,” said Mr De Gori.
The pilot will initially focus on a number of regional priority areas, to ensure help is given to families where there is currently no financial planner to provide assistance.
FPA members can read more about the program on the FPA website: www.fpa.com.au/probono.
