Examples of applying the Absence from New Zealand policy

Carlos contacts MSD on 19 November to advise that he has returned from travelling to Malaysia to be with his dying mother. He left in a hurry and didn't contact MSD before his departure. His Emergency Maintenance Allowance stopped on 4 November, the day after he left the country. He returned to New Zealand on 14 November, but then had to organise a New Zealand-based funeral for his mother, as a large number of people are based in New Zealand.

Carlos didn't advise MSD of his travel before leaving New Zealand, but he has a humanitarian reason that justifies his travel and the reason he didn't contact MSD before he left. Given Carlos' circumstances, he contacted MSD as soon as it would have been reasonable to expect him to and he meets the criteria for an approved travel reason. Carlos' Emergency Maintenance Allowance can be backdated to 4 November.

Sanjay left New Zealand for India on 7 December because his father had become suddenly seriously ill and been hospitalised. While in India, Sanjay's father passed away and Sanjay stayed overseas for the funeral. Sanjay returned on 16 December, after staying for 2 weeks for the Hindu funeral and mourning period.

On 19 December, Sanjay contacts MSD to explain that he has been overseas after learning of his father's illness, and that he stayed for the funeral. On return, Sanjay spent time mourning with his own family and has been distraught. He explains that he only realised last night that he had not informed MSD of his absence.

Sanjay's reason for leaving New Zealand is a humanitarian reason and he meets the criteria for backdating his payment to the day after departure. Given Sanjay's circumstances, he informed MSD as soon as he reasonably could. Sanjay's Emergency Maintenance Allowance can be backdated to 8 December, the date it was suspended.

Tusila calls MSD on 5 October to inform them she will leave New Zealand on 7 October to help her sister, who just lost her house in a flood. When asked how long she will be gone for, Tusila says she hasn't bought a return ticket yet and was considering staying longer catch up with family and see how her sister is going.

MSD informs Tusila that she can only keep getting her Emergency Maintenance Allowance if she is absent for essential travel. Helping her sister after a flood is considered essential travel, however if she is going to stay longer for a holiday, she won't be able to get Emergency Maintenance Allowance during the time she is on holiday.

Tusila returns the next day with an airline quote showing that the cheapest return flight is on 14 October. She thinks it will take her a week to ensure her sister has sorted out insurance, medium-term accommodation, and access to basic goods like clothing and food. She has decided not to stay on for the holiday.

MSD agrees this is reasonable and tells Tusila she can keep getting Emergency Maintenance Allowance from 7 to 14 October, while she is overseas helping her sister.

Christy is getting Emergency Maintenance Allowance and contacts MSD to advise that her sister is getting married in Australia on 8 September. Christy is going to Australia to her sister's wedding but intends to stay on for a further 2 weeks to visit other family.

Christy is leaving New Zealand on 4 September as she has to help her sister prepare. She will stay until10 September to help clean up. Christy then begins the holiday leg of her trip, returning to New Zealand on 25 September.

Christy's travel is divided as follows:

• 5 September to 10 September period meets the essential travel criteria
• 11 September to 24 September period is considered other travel (holiday) and does not meet the essential travel criteria

Christy's Emergency Maintenance Allowance can only be paid until 10 September, for the period that meets the essential travel criteria.

Graeme left New Zealand on 16 August to help his sister in Australia after she lost her house in a fire. He returns to New Zealand on 23 August. A week later, on 30 August he attends an appointment and asks why he hasn't been getting his Emergency Maintenance Allowance. His case manager informs him that his payments stopped when he left the country and asks why he didn't contact MSD sooner.

Graeme explains that he left to help his sister after a house fire, and he meant to contact MSD once he had helped his sister sort out accommodation and insurance, but he forgot. The case manager explains that because he didn't contact MSD as soon as he reasonably could have been expected to (i.e. once he had helped his sister), his Emergency Maintenance Allowance can only be backdated to 23 August, the date he returned to New Zealand.