Refusal to apply

If a client has possible entitlement to a Korean old age benefit or any other Korean benefit or pension but refuses to apply for it advise International Services. They will contact the client to explain the reasons why they must apply.

International Services may suspend the New Zealand benefit or pension if the client refuses to apply for a Korean benefit.

International Services will talk to clients about the reasons why they must apply. This discussion may include the following factors:

• clients must apply for any benefit they may qualify for in Korea if they are applying for a New Zealand benefit or pension
• a New Zealand benefit is reduced by the amount a client is entitled to get from Korea. This is part of the cost-sharing arrangement for Social Welfare between Korea and New Zealand
• it is their obligation if they have applicable periods of contributions to the Korean Social Welfare scheme to apply for these payments
• if a client leaves New Zealand for more than 26 weeks their New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension may stop, but payment of a Korean benefit will usually continue, so the client may be advantaged by their Korean benefit entitlement
• if a client is single and their New Zealand benefit or pension is reduced to the hospital rate the New Zealand payments will be suspended if the Korean benefit is more than the hospital rate. However, the Korean benefit will continue being paid to them in New Zealand, so they may be advantaged by their Korean benefit entitlement.