Payment

When a client is paid their main benefit while they are absent from New Zealand (either because they meet the criteria for approved travel or the requirement to approved travel does not apply to them) they can continue getting their main benefit and their Accommodation Supplement for up to 28 days in any 52 week period, unless they meet the criteria to be paid their main benefit for more than 28 days in a 52 week period.

They must have ongoing costs.

Clients who do not continue getting a main benefit while overseas may still be able to continue to get Accommodation Supplement, if their absence:

• does not affect the client's eligibility for this assistance and
• they advised MSD of their absence before their international travel and
• they have ongoing accommodation costs

This is limited to 28 days in a 52 week period.

For more information about Absence from New Zealand see:

• Approved travel reasons in relevant main benefit
• Absent from New Zealand more than 28 days in any 52 week period in relevant main benefit

When a client contacts you to advise that they intend travelling overseas you need to obtain the following information:

• date of departure
• date of return
• whether their accommodation costs are continuing

In all cases where you have agreed to the continued payment of benefit for up to the first 28 days of absence, you will need to create a bring-up in BRUPA screen to check that the client has returned.

If the client has not returned on the 29th day you can suspend their benefit.

When you have agreed to the continued payment of benefit for the first 28 days of absence, and the client intends to be absent for more than 28 days, you will need to create a future suspension in their SWIFTT record for the 29th day of absence.

Where payment of Accommodation Supplement will not continue because they do not meet the eligibility criteria due to their absence you will need to suspend the benefit from:

• the day after departure