Absence from New Zealand
Clients and/or their children can be absent from New Zealand and keep getting their payment for the first 28 days if it does not affect the client's eligibility for Child Disability Allowance. To pay Child Disability Allowance while the client is absent from New Zealand depends on whether the client is also getting a main benefit.
The client and child do not have to travel overseas together to keep getting Child Disability Allowance.
When one or the other travels overseas ensure that the child continues to meet the definition of dependent child and the caregiver continues as the principal caregiver. This includes a principal temporary caregiver of a child for whom Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is paid.
Clients getting a main benefit
All clients getting a main benefit must tell the Ministry of Social Development before they leave New Zealand.
If the client or partner does not tell the Ministry before they travel overseas, their benefit payments (including Child Disability Allowance) must stop.
Clients getting non-beneficiary Extra Help
Clients who are getting Child Disability Allowance, and who are not getting a main benefit:
- must tell the Ministry when they are leaving New Zealand and
- can be absent and paid their Child Disability Allowance for up to 28 days per absence, when it does not affect the client's eligibility for Child Disability Allowance
Information required from client when they tell us they intend to travel
When a client contacts you to advise they intend travelling overseas you need to obtain the following information:
- date of departure
- date of return
- whether the child or young person is remaining in New Zealand
The person who has the care and control for the child while the client is overseas may be able to get Child Disability Allowance during the client's absence. See: Temporarily out of care
For more information see:
