Absence from New Zealand
Clients can be absent from New Zealand and keep getting payments for the first 28 days of any absence if it does not affect the client's qualification for Winter Energy Payment.
Generally, a client can keep getting Winter Energy Payment for the first 28 days if the client is still getting a qualifying benefit.
Main beneficiaries have an obligation to advise of departure from New Zealand
All clients being paid 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 their international travel, their main benefit payments will stop from the day after they leave New Zealand.
This means the client will no longer be getting a qualifying benefit for a Winter Energy Payment and their Winter Energy Payment will also stop from the same day.
If a client tells the Ministry before they leave New Zealand and they are paid their qualifying benefit while they are absent from New Zealand, they can keep getting their Winter Energy Payment for the first 28 days.
When the client has been absent from New Zealand for more than 28 days their Winter Energy Payments will stop on day 29.
If the client returns to New Zealand during the winter payment period their Winter Energy Payments can be reinstated from the day they return to New Zealand.
Unlike other Extra Help, payment of Winter Energy Payment is not limited to 28 days within a 52 week period.
New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension clients getting Winter Energy Payments
Clients getting New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, and Winter Energy Payment do not have to tell the Ministry of Social Development when they leave New Zealand.
However, payments of the Winter Energy Payment will only continue for 28 days. On day 29 the Winter Energy Payment will stop being paid.
If a client has not told us they are leaving New Zealand an information match with customs will identify when they left the country. Their Winter Energy Payments will stop 28 days after they left New Zealand.
Encourage New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension clients with a partner to tell us if they are leaving New Zealand for more than 28 days
When a New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension client with a partner is absent from New Zealand for more than 28 days, we can pay Winter Energy Payment to their partner if the partner is still in New Zealand.
For more information see:
