Absence from New Zealand

The child (that Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit is paid for) can be temporarily absent from New Zealand and continue to get payment for the first 28 days of an absence if it does not affect the caregiver or child's eligibility for Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit.

When the child remains in New Zealand and the caregiver is temporarily absent from New Zealand, Orphan's Benefit and Unsupported Child's Benefit payments can continue to be paid. The child must continue to meet the definition of dependent child and the caregiver must continue to be the eligible caregiver.

• When the caregiver qualifies for Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit but they have not been resident and present in New Zealand for a continuous period of 12 months at any time, payment must stop for any period the child is absent from New Zealand.
• When the caregiver and child are going to live or intend to live in a country which New Zealand has a reciprocal agreement with Orphan's Benefit, payments may continue for longer than 28 days. Caregivers have an obligation to advise of departure from New Zealand.

All caregivers getting Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit must advise MSD before they leave New Zealand. If the caregiver does not advise MSD prior to their and/or the child's (that Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit is paid for) international travel, their benefit payments will stop from the day after they leave New Zealand.

Caregivers getting Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit who have temporarily left New Zealand must still respond to the Mandatory Review before their review date.

Temporary absence from New Zealand (e.g. personal travel) does not pause or defer the Mandatory Review.

Caregivers must contact MSD before their review date to talk about their situation if they are unable to respond to their review or if they need more time to do it.