Gym and swimming pool fees
MSD must check if the client qualifies for Disability Allowance for gym or swimming pools fees.
If the client qualifies for Disability Allowance, it must be granted before MSD assess if the client qualifies for Temporary Additional Support.
The client may have allowable health and disability costs for Temporary Additional Support where they do not qualify for Disability Allowance because:
- they do not meet the Disability Allowance income limit or
- their disability will last less than 6 months or
- they are certain refugees, protected persons or residence applicants
A registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must complete a Disability Allowance medical certificate confirming the client’s disability, the need for treatment and that exercise-based medical treatment is necessary.
The certificate must also confirm the exercise they are supporting is beneficial and of therapeutic value and that the costs are:
- additional and
- ongoing and
- directly related to the client's disability
For example Temporary Additional Support can be paid if the exercise is part of a medical treatment (e.g. hydrotherapy) or exercise in a pool supervised by a physiotherapist.
Generally gym and swimming pool costs cannot be included
Allowable costs for Temporary Additional Support do not include the cost of activities such as swimming at the local pool or workouts at the gym, even if the client's registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner recommends them as beneficial for the client's condition.
This is general exercise, which is a normal cost of everyday living that people without disabilities also have.
