Effective date of review due to change in relationship

Veteran's Pension should be reviewed when the client:

• marries, starts a de facto relationship or enters a civil union
• reconciles with a former partner
• separates
• qualified partner elects to cancel the grandparented non-qualified partner rate
• has a partner who enters long-term residential care or
• has a partner who dies

The rate of Veteran's Pension should be changed to the couple rate from the first available date if the client has advised the change in circumstances within a reasonable time (generally within 14 days).

You should only establish an overpayment if:

• the client has failed to advise of a change in living situation within 14 days of the event or
• they have deliberately misled the Ministry of Social Development

Note if the couple getting the grandparented non-qualified partner rate of Veteran's Pension separate, the grandparented non-qualified parter rate is cancelled (if they then reconcile again, they won't be able to be included again). The non-qualified partner will be able to apply for a main benefit relevant to their circumstances.

The single sharing accommodation rate of Veteran's Pension can be paid from the:

• day after the client separates or
• day that their partner enters long-term residential care (even when there is no change in their relationship status)

If the relationship has ended, the partner who does not qualify for Veteran's Pension in their own right, will need to test their eligibility to other assistance.

When the client meets the definition of living alone, the single living alone rate of Veteran's Pension can be paid from the:

• date the client meets the definition of living alone
• day that their partner enters long-term residential care (though there is no change in the relationship status)
• day after the relationship ends
• day after their partner died or
• 2 September 2013

whichever is the later.

If the client was living alone before 2 September 2013 as their partner died and they contacted the Ministry of Social Development within 28 days from the date of death, the client may be able to get the Living Alone Payment from the day after the date of death. The client will need to complete a Living Alone Payment application form.

If the application for Living Alone Payment is received more than 28 days following the partners death, or no application is received, the client will be paid the single living alone rate from:

• the date the client meets the definition of living alone or
• 2 September 2013

whichever is the later.