Advisers called on to provide disaster relief

Reporter

- Friday, 1 Mar 2013 0 comments — 1 minute read

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The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has called on its members and the wider industry to provide pro bono financial advice to the victims of bushfire and flood disasters across the country.

“The FPA’s pro bono service has been around for a number of years helping people in need, and in a situation like the recent natural disasters, when large portions of the country are affected, everyone should lend a helping hand,” FPA chief executive Mark Rantall told ifa.

“We have 70 to 100 members who are regularly engaged in pro bono activities and for a crisis like this we shouldn’t have a problem marshalling our members,” he said.

As well as simply “lending a listening ear” to disaster survivors, Rantall said certified financial planners and FPA members have skill sets that could be of particular benefit.

Victims may need advice on budgeting, rebuilding and financing property and other damaged assets; administrative tasks involved in replacing lost or damaged financial documents and information; and, where necessary, opportunities for lodging insurance claims, he said.