Approved overseas disability forum

A client getting a main benefit, who has a long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment, can travel overseas to attend an approved disability forum (programme or event).

In these cases the client may be able to continue to receive payment of their benefit for up to 12 weeks when they are absent from New Zealand. This absence from New Zealand is not related to any other discretionary 4 week absence they may be allowed in a 52 week period.

This does not apply to a partner with work obligations.

The criteria for continuing payment are:

• the person must have a long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment that, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder the clients participation

and

• the absence from New Zealand must be for the purpose of attending a disability forum approved by the Chief Executive (all applications must be referred to the Principal Disability Advisor)

and

• the approved disability forum must be:
  • a disability programme or event associated with the United Nations or an international disability organisation or
  • another type of programme or event that the beneficiary is attending to contribute a disability perspective