Action on return to New Zealand

MSD needs to look at the circumstances of the caregiver's or the child's (that Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is paid for) absence from and subsequent return to New Zealand to decide when to recommence their benefit and when to treat it as a new application.

MSD needs to consider the following:

• the caregiver's intention at the time of the departure for example, did they cancel their benefit before leaving New Zealand because they did not intend to return?
• did the caregiver and/or the child remain ordinarily resident during the period of absence?
• the length of time that they have been absent
• the reason for the absence
• have their circumstances changed significantly during their absence?
• is the caregiver eligible to have their benefit backdated to the day after their departure date or date of return?

When a caregiver and/or the child (that Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit is paid for) returns to New Zealand on or before the 29th day (where continued payment of benefit was allowed) their benefit can recommence without any break in payment.

Generally, for other short periods of absence (where continued payment was not approved and the benefit was not paid while the caregiver and/or child was absent) the benefit payments can recommence, if they are eligible, from:

• the date the caregiver and/or child returned to New Zealand as long as they contact MSD within 14 days of their return or
• the date they contacted MSD to advise they and/or the child have returned if more than 14 days after date of return