Must cancel main benefit

To qualify for Relocate for Work Support, the client must agree to cancel their main benefit from the date their job starts.

Some clients will have their main benefit cancelled when they start work because they no longer qualify due to their income or the number of hours they work. However, some clients such as sole parents with part-time work obligations will continue to qualify for their main benefit. If these clients do not agree to cancel their main benefit, they will not qualify for Relocate for Work Support.

Example 1

Mark is a single parent living in New Plymouth with his 12-year-old daughter.

Mark gets Sole Parent Support and has part-time work obligations. He has been looking for a job locally but has been unable to find one that works around his daughter's school hours.

He has been offered a job in Wellington for 22.5 hours a week at living wage. His hours of work will vary each week, but they fit in with school hours. Mark applies for Relocate for Work Support to move himself and his daughter to Wellington.

Because Mark would still qualify for Sole Parent Support while working, he must agree to cancel his benefit to get Relocate for Work Support.

Mark agrees to cancel his main benefit and meets all other qualifications, so MSD approves his Relocate for Work Support application.

Example 2

Ann is a single parent to 2 children living in Taihape.

Ann gets Sole Parent Support and has part-time work obligations. She has been looking for a job locally but has been unable to find one that works around her children's school hours. Ann can only work between 9.00am-2.30pm because she needs to be available before and after school.

She has been offered a job in Taupō for 25 hours a week at minimum wage. She would be working 9.00am-2.00pm Monday to Friday which fits in with school hours. Ann applies for Relocate for Work Support to move herself and her family to Taupō.

Because Ann would still qualify for Sole Parent Support while working, she must agree to cancel her benefit to get Relocate for Work Support.

Ann decides she wants to continue getting her main benefit and doesn't agree to cancel her main benefit. MSD declines her Relocate for Work Support application.

Example 3

Liam lives in Ōamaru and gets Supported Living Payment because of an ongoing health condition.

Liam has been looking for jobs, but his health condition means he can only work up to 15 hours a week. There are jobs available in his local area but none of them fit in with the limited hours he can work.

Liam has been offered a permanent job in Christchurch for 15 hours a week with a salary of $36,650 a year. He applies for Relocate for Work Support to move to Christchurch.

Because Liam would still qualify for Supported Living Payment while working, he must agree to cancel his main benefit to get Relocate for Work Support.

Liam agrees to cancel his main benefit and meets all other qualifications, so MSD approves his Relocate for Work Support application.