Admission to hospital
When a client has been in hospital for more than 13 weeks the New Zealand benefit or pension is reduced.
The Irish benefit or pension is still treated as a direct deduction from the hospital rate of the 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 Irish benefit or pension is more than the hospital rate of the New Zealand benefit or pension.
When the client has a partner and the rate of an Irish benefit or pension for one partner is more than the hospital rate of New Zealand benefit or pension the excess amount of the Irish benefit or pension is deducted from the other partner's New Zealand benefit or pension payment.
For more information see:
- Hospitalisation in relevant Main benefit
- Changes and reviews for New Zealand benefits in Ireland
Legislation
- Factors reducing benefits: entitlement to overseas pensions section 187-191 Social Security Act 2018
- Factors affecting benefits regulations 118-136 Social Security Regulations 2018
- Factors affecting benefit: hospitalisation section 206 Social Security Act 2018
- Benefit of spouse or partner increased after 13th week of hospitalisation section 207 Social Security Act 2018
- Hospital rates of New Zealand Superannuation section 19 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001
