Paying a benefit when the client has not advised before departure

Generally, clients getting a main benefit must advise the Ministry of Social Development of their intention to leave New Zealand before their departure to be eligible to continue to receive their payments.

Only in specific circumstances can a client getting a benefit leave New Zealand without telling us, be able to have their benefit either:

• resumed from the date they notified the Ministry of their absence if their travel is allowed or
• backdated to the day after their departure date

Note this can occur either while the client is overseas or once they have returned.

If a client contacts the Ministry after they have left New Zealand, and is not eligible to have their payment backdated, their benefit can only be resumed from:

• the date they notified us of their absence and
• only if the travel is allowed (i.e. they meet the criteria to continue to be paid their benefit while overseas either because they meet the criteria for approved travel, or the requirements that travel be approved does not apply to them)

Otherwise, the client cannot have their benefit resumed until they return to New Zealand.