Paying for more than 28 days - delayed return

Generally, a benefit cannot be paid for more than 28 days in any 52 week period when the client is absent from New Zealand. However there are limited circumstances where a benefit can be paid for more than 28 days in a 52 week period.

To pay a benefit more than 28 days during any 52 week period:

• the client must be continuing to receive their benefit while absent from New Zealand because:
  • they have an approved travel reason, or
  • they are not required to have an approved travel reason in order to be paid their benefit while absent from New Zealand
• the client could not return to New Zealand because of new circumstances that:
  • they could not reasonably foresee at the time when they left New Zealand, and
  • that are outside of the client's control

and

• Work and Income is satisfied that the extension of the absence is no longer than is necessary to address the new circumstances

A client who is absent from New Zealand for an approved reason may be prevented from returning by new unforeseen circumstances which could include (but are not limited to):

• travel delays due to unforeseen weather events eg fog, volcano, flooding, earthquakes, terrorism
• travel delays due to transport options being cancelled
• health condition or injury or hospitalisation preventing return

A client who is continuing to be paid while they are absent from New Zealand for an approved reason may be able to have their benefit backdated if there is an unforeseen reason they cannot notify Work and Income while they are overseas.

For example, a client boards a plane to return home on schedule and the plane is held up due to fog. There is no way the client could notify Work and Income due to an event outside of their control. When the client contacts Work and Income once they are back in New Zealand, their benefit would be resumed from the original date client was due to return (this will be on the boarding pass and/or in the custom tab in WASP).

For more information see:

• Overseas for medical treatment
• Absent from New Zealand more than 28 days in any 52 week period
• Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes