Action on return to New Zealand

You will need to look at the circumstances of the client's absence from and subsequent return to New Zealand to decide when to recommence their benefit and when to treat it as a new application.

You will need to consider the following:

• the client's intention at the time of their departure for example, did they cancel their benefit before leaving New Zealand because they did not intend to return
• did the client 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 client eligible to have their benefit backdated to the day after their departure date or date of return?

For more information see:

• Backdating benefit to day after departure date

When a client returns to New Zealand on or before the 29th day (where continued payment of benefit was allowed) you can recommence their benefit 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 client was absent) you can recommence the benefit payments, if they are eligible, from:

• the date the client returned to New Zealand as long as they contact you within 14 days of their return or
• the date they contacted you to advise they have returned if more than 14 days after date of return

In all other circumstances you may need to consider a new application from the client after reviewing the circumstances above.

For more information see:

• Client does not return