Essential travel

A client not otherwise entitled to be paid their Supported Living Payment while they are absent from New Zealand may have their payments continue for up to 28 days in any 52 week period if they have to travel outside of New Zealand to attend a significant event relating to a family member (including other person who is treated by the client as a member of the client's family).

These events are ones which the client or partner would reasonably be expected to attend. That is, the travel is essential to them and where not attending the event would cause the person emotional distress. This may include, but is not limited to, travel that allows the client to:

• be with a seriously ill or dying person who is a family member (including other person who is treated by the client as a member of the client's family)
• attend a funeral or an unveiling in relation to a family member
• pay respect to a family member of the deceased in the event of the client missing the funeral
• attend to legal matters in relation to the affairs of the deceased family member
• attend a birth of a family member or be with a family member around the time of their giving birth
• provide support to a party or witness to a court case
• attend a wedding of a family member - the client does not need to be a member of the bridal party or play a significant part in the wedding in order for the payment of benefit to continue while they are absent from New Zealand
• travel for a court ordered custody arrangement

For more information see:

• Definition of family member
• Absent from New Zealand more than 28 days in any 52 week period
• Job interviews or follow up on a job prospect
• Permitted travel reasons
• Absences that do not prevent partner meeting their obligations
• Paying benefit when client failed to advise of absence
• Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes (within a 28 day maximum)