Gets a main benefit or Student Allowance

If a client has a good and sufficient reason for getting a main benefit or Student Allowance within 182 days of their job start date, Relocate for Work Support is not recoverable.

MSD must consider each client's individual circumstances and be satisfied that a good and sufficient reason exists before deciding not to make Relocate for Work Support recoverable.

Examples of good and sufficient reason include, but are not limited to, when a client:

• could no longer transport themselves to their employment for reasons beyond their control (e.g. the client's place of employment moved or they sustained a long-term illness or injury that impacted their ability to get to work)
• had a long-term change in childcare arrangements that meant they could no longer work their agreed hours, and their hours of employment could not be changed
• had an unexpected event occur (e.g. they had to return to the family home in another location to care for a sick relative for an extended period)
• had a significant change in their employment conditions which meant the employment was no longer suitable (e.g. the employer changed their hours)
• was not able to continue working, or is working reduced hours due to a health condition, injury, or disability and has a medical certificate to verify this
• lost their job during the 90-day trial period (except when it was due to misconduct)

Trial period

Some employment agreements include a trial period of up to 90 days. This means the employer can dismiss the employee for any reason at any time before the end of the trial period without giving a reason. However, this does not mean a reason will not be given.

If a client is dismissed during a trial period, MSD must try to determine the reason for the dismissal. This may include asking the employer to complete the Employment and earnings information for applications form.

If a reason cannot be established, Relocate for Work Support must not be made recoverable.

Note this does not apply when the client has been dismissed due to misconduct during the trial period.

Example 1

Jason has been granted Relocate for Work Support and has moved from New Plymouth to Auckland for a full-time job as a builder.

Jason sustained a serious back injury playing rugby and ended up in hospital. Since then, he has been permanently and severely restricted in his capacity to work. Due to the nature of his job Jason is unable to keep working and agrees with his manager to leave the job.

Jason applies for Supported Living Payment. Even though he is reapplying for a main benefit within 182 days of starting his job, MSD does not make his Relocate for Work Support payment recoverable as he has a good and sufficient reason for getting a main benefit.

Example 2

Sally has been granted Relocate for Work Support and has been employed as a customer service agent in Wellington CBD. However, after 5 months her employer relocates the office to the Hutt Valley due to a cheaper lease.

Sally now needs to travel further to get to work in the Hutt Valley. Her hours of employment mean she can get a bus or train to commute to work and it would take her less than an hour.

Sally leaves her job as she doesn't want to commute to the Hutt Valley. She reapplies for Jobseeker Support as she no longer has a job.

MSD does not consider Sally to have a good and sufficient reason for returning to a main benefit. MSD makes the full amount of her Relocate for Work Support recoverable.