Admission to hospital

When a client has been in hospital for more than 13 weeks the New Zealand benefit or pension is reduced.

The Canadian pension is still treated as a direct deduction from the hospital rate of New Zealand benefit or pension.

International Services receives reports from SWIFTT of clients admitted to hospital and will suspend the New Zealand benefit or pension when a client has been in hospital for 13 weeks, and the Canadian pension is more than the hospital rate of the New Zealand benefit or pension.

When the client has a partner and the rate of a Canadian pension for one partner is more than the hospital rate of New Zealand benefit or pension the excess amount of the Canadian pension is deducted from the other partner's New Zealand benefit or pension payment.