Paying for more than 28 days for an approved reason

Generally, a benefit cannot be paid for more than 28 days in any 52 week period when the client is absent from New Zealand. However there are limited circumstances where a benefit can be paid for more than 28 days in a 52 week period.

To pay a benefit more than 28 days during any 52 week period of absence from New Zealand, the client must be travelling for one of the following reasons:

• essential travel - 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), that the client would reasonably be expected to attend (eg visit a person who is seriously ill, seriously injured or whose death is imminent, attend a funeral, provide support to a party or witness to a court case, travel required for a court ordered custody arrangement)
• to attend a court case which the person is required to attend as a party or a witness
• to attend a job interview or follow up on a job prospect
• for clients with a disability, to receive vocational training or disability assistance-dog training not available in New Zealand during the period or periods of absence
• for clients with a disability, to travel overseas for the sole or predominant purpose of competing in any overseas multinational or international Special Olympic or Paralympic Games competition
• for clients with a disability, to travel overseas for the purpose to attend an approved disability forum
• to provide aid or assistance to a family member immediately following a natural disaster (flood, earthquake, fire) or similar adverse event (eg house fire)

and

• Work and Income must be satisfied, when considering the client's reason for travel, that the length of the absence is no longer than necessary for the reason for travel.

In addition, where the client has already been paid a benefit while absent from New Zealand in the 52 week period Work and Income must be satisfied that either:

• the client could not have reasonably foreseen them needing to be absent from New Zealand for more than 28 days in a 52 week period or
• the client could not have rearranged their affairs to avoid being absent from New Zealand for more than 28 days in a 52 week period and
• it would be unreasonable for the benefit not to be paid

Note generally we would not pay more than 28 days extra travel per absence.

For more information see:

• Examples for paying more than 28 days for an approved reason
• Client not returned due to unforeseen circumstances (within 28 days maximum)
• Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes (within 28 day maximum)
• Paying for more than 28 days - delayed return
• Calculating the period of absence