Supported Living Payment going to or residing in Ireland

Under the agreement with the Republic of Ireland clients can be paid the New Zealand Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability, or totally blind) when they are living in Ireland.

Clients can apply for Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability, or totally blind) to be paid in Ireland before their departure from New Zealand or after their arrival in Ireland.

To get Supported Living Payment paid in Ireland, a client must: 

• be entitled to or getting Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability, or totally blind)
• be ordinarily resident in Ireland or New Zealand at the time they apply for payment from overseas
• intend to reside in Ireland for more than 26 weeks
• be present in New Zealand or Ireland at the time they apply
• have had at least 12 months continuous residence in New Zealand since the age of 20

Note the client can use their periods of insurance contributions in Ireland to meet the residence qualification for Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability or totally blind).

If a client leaves New Zealand intending to live in Ireland for 26 weeks or more, they have up to 26 weeks to take up residence in Ireland. Clients may go to other countries before they get to Ireland, but they must arrive in Ireland within 26 weeks from the date they left New Zealand to be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland on the date they left New Zealand.

Example

A client may want to have a three-month holiday in the United Kingdom before taking up residence in Ireland.

In this example, the client would be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for the purposes of deciding their application for payment of Supported Living Payment in Ireland.

Clients have an obligation to advise MSD of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their entitlement to Supported Living Payment in Ireland or the rate payable (e.g. change in income or if they intend to leave Ireland and live in another country).

When the client reaches the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension, they will no longer be eligible for Supported Living Payment (health condition, injury, disability, or totally blind) and must test their entitlement to New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension.

Clients getting Supported Living Payment 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.