Fails to advise of absence
Sometimes a client does not tell the Ministry of Social Development they intend to travel overseas.
Approved Information Sharing Agreement with New Zealand Customs Service
The Ministry of Social Development has an Approved Information Sharing Agreement with New Zealand Customs Service that identifies clients who have left New Zealand.
If the client has not returned to New Zealand after 26 weeks the client is sent a letter requesting they contact the Integrity Intervention Centre within 10 working days.
Client does not respond
If the client fails to make contact, the Integrity Intervention Centre will suspend the Veterans Pension from the first available date after the 10 working days have lapsed. Notes are added in CMS stating that the client needs to confirm their date of return to New Zealand before their Veterans Pension can be resumed.
If the client does not make contact within 2 pay cycles, the Integrity Intervention Centre will establish an overpayment from the day after the departure date.
Client makes contact before Veterans Pension suspended
If a client contacts the Ministry when they received the first letter, that is, before the Veterans Pension is suspended, take the following action:
- confirm the date they returned to New Zealand
- make full notes in CMS to prevent the benefit being suspended at a later date by the Integrity Intervention Centre
- remind your client of their obligation to tell the Ministry of any change in their circumstances that may affect their Veterans Pension payments
- a grandparented non-qualified couple must be informed that their grandparented non-qualified partner rate will end if the qualified partner is not entitled to payment for the period absence or any part of the absence.
Client makes contact after Veterans Pension suspended
If a client contacts after their Veterans Pension has been suspended it will also mean that a debt has been established by the Integrity Intervention Centre, from the day after the client left New Zealand up to the date their payments were suspended.
If the overpayment period is incorrect, ask your client the following information and forward it to the Integrity Intervention Centre:
- verification of travel dates, for example, using boarding passes, tickets etc
- any other relevant information
The Integrity Intervention Centre will reassess the overpayment if there is more information which suggest the overpayment is incorrect.
Note clients may be asked to provide proof of the circumstances of their absence.
If you need any help contact the Integrity Intervention Centre.
