Clients receiving Irish benefits and pensions

A client is required to provide information regarding the rate of any Irish benefit or pension that they are receiving. If they do not comply their New Zealand benefit or pension can be refused or payment can be suspended.

When a client is receiving payments from the Republic of Ireland you will need to find out the details of payment in order to determine the effect it will have on the client's New Zealand benefit or pension.

It is important that the information is obtained as quickly as possible to enable the client's New Zealand benefit or pension entitlement to be assessed correctly.

If the client is unable to provide full documentation of the payments, they will need to complete an Information Release Authority form.

The form must be sent to International Services to enable International Services to obtain and verify the following information:

• rate of payment in Irish currency and whether it includes any amount in respect of the clients partner and any dependent children
• reason for the grant, such as age, widowhood, disablement, or war service
• the name of the organisation or authority that is making the payment
• verification of any amount which is payment from voluntary contributions

When MSD matches a client's information with information from Ireland, MSD must send a written notice of adverse action to the client.

A notice of adverse action is only required upon receipt of the first information match.

For more information contact International Services or see:

• Payment options
• Other income
• Exchange of Information