Additional criteria for Supported Living Payment
When a client from Australia does not meet the residence qualifications for the New Zealand Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability or totally blind), their residence in Australia can be regarded as residence in New Zealand if the client meets the following conditions:
- is resident and present in New Zealand and intends to remain for at least one year or has been present in New Zealand for at least 6 months prior to application and
- has a total of 2 years continuous residence in Australia and/or New Zealand and
- meets the severely disabled medical criteria and
- has been an Australian resident for 12 months of which at least 6 months must have been continuous and
- was resident in Australia or New Zealand at the date of severe disablement and
- was a resident of Australia for a period of not less than one year at any time prior to the date of severe disablement
The date of severe disablement is:
- the date a person who applies for a Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) (for the severely disabled) was first assessed as meeting the criteria for Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) (for the severely disabled) or
- where evidence supports, an earlier date (only Services Australia - International Services and International Services, New Zealand, may agree on an earlier date)
The date of severe disablement is usually the date of application.
When a client applies for New Zealand Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) in these circumstances International Services will undertake the necessary investigations to determine eligibility for Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) (for the severely disabled) under the Agreement with Australia.
International Services will send the client the necessary application forms and will arrange for the client to undergo the necessary medical assessments.
Where a person has no other means of income support, you may need to consider alternative assistance until the outcome of their entitlement under the agreement with Australia is known. If another benefit is granted details of the client's disability should be entered in CMS.
International Services will receive down lists of all Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) registrations and declines and will screen for possible eligibility to Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury disability or totally blind) (for the severely disabled) for clients who have lived in Australia.
For more information contact International Services or see:
