Orphans going to or residing in Ireland

Under the agreement with the Republic of Ireland caregiver can be paid the New Zealand Orphans Benefit when they are living in Ireland.

Clients can apply for Orphan's Benefit to be paid in Ireland before their departure from New Zealand or from Ireland.

To get Orphan's Benefit paid in Ireland a client must be:

• entitled to or getting Orphan's Benefit
• ordinarily resident in Ireland or intending to be ordinarily resident in Ireland for at least 26 weeks
• present in Ireland or New Zealand on the date they apply
• an eligible caregiver or principal temporary caregiver of the child

The following conditions must also be met:

• the child intends to live in Ireland for more than 26 weeks
• the event that gave rise to entitlement to Orphan's Benefit occurred when the child was living in New Zealand and
• the child was born in New Zealand or the child has had at least 12 months continuous residence in New Zealand

Orphan's Benefit will be paid in Ireland at the same rate that it is payable in New Zealand.

Clients getting Orphan's Benefit in Ireland will need to complete a Mandatory Review 52 weeks from when the benefit commenced, and 52 weeks from when the client's last Mandatory Review was completed.

For more information contact International Services.