Emergency Maintenance Allowance suspended before Mandatory Review date

Clients getting Emergency Maintenance Allowance are always notified about their Mandatory Review, even if their Emergency Maintenance Allowance is suspended, unless it is suspended due to the client being temporarily overseas or in prison.

MSD must not undertake the Mandatory Review unless the client contacts MSD to resume their Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

If the client contacts MSD before their review date to resume their Emergency Maintenance Allowance, they may be able to get an extension if they need more time to do their Mandatory Review. MSD can resume the benefit before the Mandatory Review has been responded to.

However, if the client contacts MSD on or after their Mandatory Review date, the review must be completed before MSD can resume the benefit.

Example

Daisy is getting Emergency Maintenance Allowance. Daisy's Mandatory Review is due on 2 May.

Daisy left New Zealand to go on holiday on 25 April and did not tell MSD that she was leaving. Her Emergency Maintenance Allowance is suspended on 26 April.

On 10 May Daisy contacts MSD and advises that she arrived back in New Zealand on 7 May.

MSD advises Daisy that she will need to respond to the Mandatory Review and confirm her circumstances before MSD can resume her Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

On 11 May Daisy responds to her Mandatory Review and confirms that she has had no change in circumstances.

MSD determines that Daisy continues to qualify for Emergency Maintenance Allowance at the same rate and resumes her benefit from 7 May.

MSD completes Daisy's Mandatory Review on 11 May and sets the next review date for 52 weeks from the date the review was completed.