Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes (within 28 day maximum)
Where a client makes contact from overseas and advises their reason for travel has changed they may be able to continue to receive their payments or begin to receive payments while overseas.
Being paid a benefit for an approved travel period
Where the client had already left New Zealand for an approved travel period, they may receive their payment for longer (where they have sufficient days left from their 28 days within a 52 week period).
Absent from New Zealand but benefit not being paid
Where a client had left New Zealand and their benefit wasn't paid as they didn't qualify for an approved travel reason, and they now qualify for an approved travel reason, their benefit may be started from the date the client became eligible to receive the benefit overseas (where they have sufficient days left from their 28 days within a 52 week period).
Examples (but not limited to:
Client situation | Outcome |
A primary client on Emergency Benefit was out of New Zealand visiting his father in Australia. His Emergency Benefit was suspended the day after he left New Zealand as it wasn't an approved travel reason. The client contacts Work and Income three days later to say that his father is in hospital as he has had a heart attack. The client has been paid for five days in the previous 52 weeks while he was absent from New Zealand leaving a balance of 23 days. | The reason for travel now meets the criteria for approved travel. The benefit is resumed from the date the client became eligible to receive the benefit overseas. The client must contact Work and Income from overseas. The benefit cannot be back-dated if the client advises Work and Income when they return to New Zealand. |
A partner receiving Emergency Benefit left New Zealand to visit her sick mother. Two days before she was due to return, her mother's house burnt down. The client has been paid for 20 days in the previous 52 weeks while she was absent from New Zealand leaving a balance of eight days. | The reason for travel has changed and the client has not been absent from New Zealand for up to 28 days in any 52 week period. The benefit expiry is extended for an additional five days. If the client hadn't informed Work and Income their benefit would have stopped from the day they were meant to return. |
Note that where the client has already been absent for 28 days in a 52 week period, consider whether the client meets the criteria for receiving a payment for more than 28 days in any 52 week period.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Exception to general rule: benefit subject to obligations rule regulation 144(2) Social Security Regulations 2018
