Support not used for the reason it was paid

It is a condition of grant of Relocate for Work Support that the client must:

• use the payment to relocate for their new job and
• relocate by air or sea if they get a payment for this method of travel and
• move their possessions if they get a payment for this need

If the client fails to meet one or more of these conditions without a good and sufficient reason, the whole amount of Relocate for Work Support paid to them is recoverable. MSD must recover this amount from the client.

If a client has a good and sufficient reason for not using the support for the reason it was paid, 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:

• did not relocate because:
  • they sustained a long-term illness or injury (and have a medical certificate to prove this) that impacted their ability to start work
  • their new employer went out of business before their job start date
  • they 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
  • they had an unexpected event occur (e.g. they had to stay where they were to care for a sick relative for an extended period)
• was paid to travel by air but travels by bus because their flight was cancelled, and this was the only alternative to ensure they relocated in time to start their new job
• was paid to move their possessions but some or all their possessions were stolen or damaged in a fire or other disaster before they were due to relocate

Example 1 - did not relocate

Jasmine was granted Relocate for Work Support to move herself from Kerikeri to Rotorua. Jasmine's job starts on 1 July, and she is planning to move on 20 June to allow herself time to set up.

However, Jasmine does not relocate to Rotorua or start her new job as she fell down the stairs in her apartment building and has sustained a serious leg injury. Her recovery time is long, and she is unable to work even at reduced hours. She has a medical certificate to prove this.

MSD is satisfied Jasmine has a good and sufficient reason for not relocating or starting work and does not make Relocate for Work Support recoverable.

Example 2 - moved by bus

Leon was granted Relocate for Work Support to fly from Invercargill to Christchurch. He plans to move on 14 May. However, on 14 May his flight is cancelled due to bad weather, and he is rescheduled onto a flight on 16 May. His job starts on 16 May.

Instead, Leon buys an overnight bus ticket to get from Invercargill to Christchurch. This was the only alternative route that would get him to Christchurch in time to start his new job.

MSD is satisfied Leon has a good and sufficient reason for relocating by bus when he was paid to relocate by air and does not make Relocate for Work Support recoverable.

Example 3 - possessions were stolen

Christian was granted Relocate for Work Support to move himself and his possessions from Napier to Hamilton. He has hired a moving van to move his possessions. His job starts on 7 April, and he plans to move a few days before to settle into his new area.

A few nights before Christian is planning to move there is a fire in his apartment building and although no one was injured his possessions were significantly damaged and are now unusable. Christian moves to Hamilton as planned and starts his job, however, he didn't need the moving van as he could fit his remaining possessions in his car.

MSD is satisfied Christian has a good and sufficient reason for not moving his possessions when he was paid for this need and does not make Relocate for Work Support recoverable.