It pays to get fit! Is there a fitness program you’re interested in but can’t afford? Perhaps you’ve been considering a personal trainer (PT) but not sure if it’s worth it? Physical activity is super important when you’re living with CF but costs can be a barrier. In this blog post you’ll find out about CF fitness subsidies available to you. Last month Michael Cahill generously gave his time to host the first ever Fitness Chat for CF Connect. This will be a regular chat and is open to all adults with CF so mark the dates in your calendar and join the next one. Michael spoke about his journey to better health through fitness. Fitness made such a positive impact on his health and his life that he’s now studying to be a personal trainer (PT) and embracing a career change. During the chat we shared our own experiences of exercise and touched on nutrition and motivation. A common issue was finding the motivation and energy to exercise when unwell and feeling drained. I was curious about the role of a PT. I learnt that a PT can be especially helpful when starting a new fitness program because they provide guidance and accountability and help to motivate you. Michael used the generous CFWA Adult Activity Subsidy ($1200) to help cover the costs of a PT at the beginning of his fitness journey. After a year his knowledge and confidence increased and he was able to reduce his number of weekly PT sessions. Financial Assistance for CF exercise-related costs All state CF organisations offer financial assistance to help reduce the cost of getting fit. The aim is to make regular physical activity more accessible. How much you can apply for varies between states, ranging from $150 to $1,200. In the table below we’ve summarised what you can apply for in 2020. Some state CF organisations, e.g. CFCC NSW and CFQ and possibly others, also have ‘time-limited grants’. These ‘time-limited grants’ vary year to year and are unlikely to be listed online so it’s worth having a chat with your state CF organisation. Why does financial assistance vary between states? There are two main reasons: 1) government funding available to each CF organisation varies between states and 2) CF organisations tailor their financial assistance to what their members tell them they need. If you would like to see more financial assistance for exercise related costs in your state it’s important to get in touch with your state CF organisation and tell them what support is most important to you. What can I use the money for? In most cases, the CF fitness subsidies can be use to pay for gym membership, personal training sessions, home exercise equipment, or fees for sporting activities. In some cases you can put the money towards team uniforms, a push bike, a trampoline, or even a pair of runners. There may be some conditions. For example, the amount may be capped at 50% of the price of the piece of equipment. If you have a question, or want to double check what is covered, please contact your state CF organisation. They’ll be more than happy to answer your questions. How do I apply? Generally the subsidies are a retrospective payments. So, you’ll need to provide the tax invoice for the item or activity to claim the subsidy. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and cannot pay upfront, contact your state CF organisation as they may be able to make an arrangement. Note: For the CFWA Adult Activity Subsidy you will also need to complete a pre- and post- questionnaire. Ask questions I’ve tried hard to compile all the information about exercise subsidies but I may have missed something. Your state CF organisation has all the up-to-date information so get in touch with them and ask them lots of questions so you don’t miss out. By Pia Table 1. Financial assistance for CF exercise-related costs (2020).You may be able to use the financial assistance for exercise-related costs not listed here (e.g. yoga fees, runners) so contact your state CF organisation for more details. Note: Some state CF organisations (eg CFCC NSW and CFQ) often have 'time-limited grants' (not listed here) so give them a call and ask. The 'CF General Subsidies' shown here are not specifically for exercise-related costs but you can use them to cover exercise-related costs if you choose to.
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The Australian CF Hub strives to present a diversity of viewpoints. We encourage respectful and open discussion. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in each blog post belong solely to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian CF Hub team or other adults with CF. Archives
May 2021
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