Client meeting their work preparation obligations
A client receiving Sole Parent Support can continue to be paid a benefit while they are absent from New Zealand for any reason:
- when they are meeting their work-preparation obligations by attending and participating in employment related training and
- the travel will not prevent them from continuing to meet these work obligations (eg during a semester or term break)
Examples (but are not limited to)
Client situation | Outcome |
Client receiving Sole Parent Support with work preparation obligations who has been required to undertake an approved training course. During their term break from the course they are going to Australia to visit family. | The client is already meeting their work preparation obligations and therefore can be absent from New Zealand and continue to be paid their benefit for up to 28 days in any 52 week period. |
Client receiving Sole Parent Support who is in full-time study who wishes to go on holiday during the term break to visit family in Australia. | The client is already meeting their work preparation obligations and therefore can be absent from New Zealand and continue to be paid their benefit for up to 28 days in any 52 week period. |
Legislation
- Obligation to notify absence from New Zealand section 114 Social Security Act 2018
- General rule: benefit not payable while beneficiary absent from New Zealand section 219 Social Security Act 2018
- Absences of up to 4 weeks in 52-week period regulations 145-147 Social Security Regulations 2018
- Absences of longer than 4 weeks in 52-week period regulation 148-152 Social Security Regulations 2018
