Humanitarian reasons for backdating to day after departure

Where a client does not advise of their departure from New Zealand before they go, they may be able to have their benefit paid from the day after their departure date if the client has a humanitarian reason that justifies their reason for travel and their failure to tell Work and Income before they left.

Humanitarian reasons are:

• to provide aid or assistance to a family member (or a person to whom they have a relationship similar to a family member) immediately following a natural disaster (for example, flood, earthquake, bush fires) or similar adverse event (eg house fire)
• to be with a suddenly seriously ill, or dying family member (or a person to whom they have a relationship similar to a family member)
• to attend the sudden funeral of a family member (or a person to whom they have a relationship similar to a family member)

For more information see:

• Client not returned due to an unforeseeable event (within 28 day maximum)
• Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes (within 28 day maximum)