At risk of long-term benefit receipt

To qualify for Relocate for Work Support the client must be at risk of long-term benefit receipt.

At risk of long-term benefit receipt means there is a risk the client will get or continue getting a main benefit for an indefinite period.

To decide whether a client is at risk of getting a benefit long-term, MSD must consider a number of factors. These include:

• demographic information, for example:
  • age
  • gender
  • ethnicity
  • location
• level of skills, employment experience and education
• if there are any specific barriers to employment, for example:
  • health conditions or disabilities
  • caring responsibilities (e.g. sole parent, young parent)
  • criminal convictions
• benefit status and history, for example:
  • how long the client has been getting a main benefit
  • time spent on and off benefit
  • age when the client first started getting a main benefit
• previous times the client got, or participated in, MSD employment programmes and services

Generally, a combination of factors will determine whether a client is at risk of long-term benefit receipt, for example a client who is:

• 60 years old, has only ever had 2 jobs and has no further work experience or education or
• 19 years old, has caring responsibilities, has not finished school, and has been on a main benefit for a year

However, a single factor can also determine whether a client is at risk of long-term benefit receipt, for example a client who has a:

• criminal conviction(s) or
• serious illness or disability

Not everyone getting a main benefit is at risk of long-term benefit receipt, for example a client who:

• is work ready and
• is considered capable of getting into and staying in work without help from MSD and
• only needs a main benefit for a short time while they find work

These clients are not at risk of long-term benefit receipt and do not qualify for Relocate for Work Support.

Example 1

Jane is 24. She lives in Waikanae and has been on and off Jobseeker Support since she was 20. Jane has not been in further education and has been in and out of work since leaving high school.

Jane has been unable to get a job locally and has been offered a job in Upper Hutt. She applies for Relocate for Work Support.

MSD determines that she is at risk of long-term benefit receipt because of her benefit history, education level and because she has struggled staying in work since leaving high school.

This means Jane may qualify for Relocate for Work Support if she meets all the other qualifications.

Example 2

Mary is 45. She lives in Hamilton and has been in and out of prison.

She has struggled to stay in employment and is currently on Jobseeker Support.

Mary has been unable to get a job locally and has been offered a job in Christchurch. She applies for Relocate for Work Support.

MSD determines that she is at risk of long-term benefit receipt because of her criminal conviction history.

This means Mary may qualify for Relocate for Work Support if she meets all other qualifications.

Example 3

Matai is a public servant who lives in Wellington and has been made redundant. He has not been to university or had further education but has years of professional experience. He is currently getting Jobseeker Support while looking for work.

Matai has been unable to get a job locally and has been offered a job in Auckland. He applies for Relocate for Work Support.

Matai is not considered to be at risk of long-term benefit receipt. This is because he is work ready and considered capable of getting into and staying in employment without further assistance from MSD.