Application procedure - International Custody Dispute Payment

All clients need to complete a Special Needs Grant - International Custody Dispute Payment form.

Clients must have a court order in relation to care and custody arrangements before applying.

A client must meet all qualifications and verification of this supplied.

Clients can access the application form from the Work and Income website and applications need to be sent to:

International Custody Dispute Payment
Helpline
Ministry of Social Development
PO Box 1556
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

For a copy of the form see:

• Special Needs Grant - International Custody Dispute Payment form

If the client is overseas and was previously getting Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payment, this payment should continue to be paid for 28 days after they leave the country. If an application for a Special Needs Grant - International Custody Dispute Payment is completed the transition from benefit to the Special Needs Grant International Custody Dispute Payment, should commence from the 29th day.

Overseas clients should send certified copies of their identification, and not their original identification.

Certified copies must be stamped or endorsed as being true copies of the originals by a person authorised by law to take statutory declarations in the applicant's country or in New Zealand. Examples of these include but are not limited to:

• a lawyer
• notary public
• Justice of the Peace or
• court official

If a client is overseas and needs to get certified copies of originals sighted they can be advised to use their lawyer or should be directed to the New Zealand Embassies (there is a cost involved).

Accept faxed copies of certified documents only if the originals, or certified copies, are then submitted at the earliest opportunity.

International custody disputes may take numerous court hearings to reach a final decision. The client may not know all the court dates in advance and may not be able to provide verification of the next court date immediately.

After a decision has been made a client has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal.

Use BRUPA for the day after the court date to contact the client and check the status of the court proceedings. If a new court date is set, we must receive the verification within 28 days of the previous court date.

Verification of the court date can be a letter from the court or clients lawyer confirming the court date.