Examples for paying more than 28 days for an approved reason

Client's reason for travelling for 28 days within 52 week period

Client's current reason for travel within 52 week period

Outcome

Essential travel reasons

Essential travel reason eg a seriously ill family member

Generally consider allowing further period of payment while absent for more than 28 days in a 52 week period, if reasonable in the circumstances

Job interview or job prospect

Essential travel reason eg a funeral

Generally would consider allowing further period of payment while absent for more than 28 days in a 52 week period, if reasonable in the circumstances

Sole Parent Support client with work obligations or work-preparation obligations to travel for any reason if the travel will not interfere with these obligations.

The client wishes to be absent from overseas for another general holiday

This is not an approved reason for paying for more than 28 days in a 52 week period. The client would not be able to receive a benefit while absent from New Zealand for this reason even if the travel will not prevent them meeting their obligations (eg they had further annual leave from their employment.

Sole Parent Support client with work obligations or work-preparation obligations to travel for any reason if the travel will not interfere with these obligations.

To provide aid or assistance to a family member immediately following a natural disaster or similar adverse event.

Generally would allow further period of payment while absent for more than 28 days in a 52 week period. This is an unforeseen event and it is reasonable for them to help their family member.

Sole Parent Support client with work obligations or work-preparation obligations to travel for any reason if the travel will not interfere with these obligations.

Essential travel reason

Generally would consider allowing further period of payment while absent for more than 28 days in a 52 week period, if the essential travel reason was unforeseen.

Sole Parent Support client with work obligations or work-preparation obligations to travel for any reason if the travel will not interfere with these obligations.

Needs to attend a wedding of a family member.

Generally would not consider allowing a further period of payment for more than 28 days in a 52 week period.

Weddings are usually known about in advance and this should have been planned for when they used the 28 days to go on holiday. However, where the wedding is genuinely unforeseen, consideration could be given to allowing travel for a period of more than 28 days in a 52 week period.

Sole Parent Support client with work obligations or work-preparation obligations had to spend four days at a funeral overseas.

The client had booked a holiday prior to the attendance at the funeral overseas. This holiday was booked for 28 days because they are able to travel for any reason if the travel will not interfere with their obligations.

The client does not have the full 28 days left

Travelling for a general holiday is not an approved reason for paying a benefit for more than 28 days in a 52 week period

The benefit will only be paid for the number of days the client has available.