Client left New Zealand and reason for travel changes (within 28 day maximum)
Where a client makes contact from overseas and advises their reason for travel has changed they may be able to continue to receive their payments or begin to receive payments while overseas.
Being paid a benefit for an approved travel period
Where the client has already left New Zealand for an approved travel period, they may be able to receive their payment for longer (where they have sufficient days left from their 28 days within a 52 week period).
Absent from New Zealand but benefit not being paid
Where a client had left New Zealand and their benefit wasn't paid as they didn't qualify for an approved travel reason, and they now qualify for an approved travel reason, their benefit may be started from the date the client became eligible to receive the benefit overseas (where they have sufficient days left from their 28 days within a 52 week period).
Examples (but are not limited to)
Client situation | Outcome |
A client receiving Young Parent Payment who was enrolled in secondary school was out of New Zealand visiting his father in Australia. His Young Parent Payment was suspended the day after he left New Zealand as it wasn't an approved travel reason. This is because the travel took place in the middle of the school term and therefore it prevented the client from meeting his obligation to be in education, training or work-based learning. The client contacts Work and Income three days later to say that his father is in hospital as he has had a heart attack. The client has been paid for five days in the previous 52 weeks while he was absent from New Zealand leaving a balance of 23 days. | The reason for travel now meets the criteria for approved travel. The benefit is resumed from the date the client became eligible to receive the benefit overseas. The client must contact Work and Income from overseas. The benefit cannot be back-dated if the client advises Work and Income when they return to New Zealand. |
A client receiving Young Parent Payment who is attending a full-time training course left New Zealand to visit her mother during the term break. The client continued to receive her payment while overseas on the grounds that the travel did not prevent her from meeting her obligations. Two days before she was due to return, her mother's house burnt down. The client has been paid for 20 days in the previous 52 weeks while she was absent from New Zealand leaving a balance of eight days. | The reason for travel has changed and the client has not been absent from New Zealand for up to 28 days in any 52 week period. The benefit expiry is extended for an additional five days. |
Note that where the client has already been absent for 28 days in a 52 week period, consider whether the client meets the criteria for receiving a payment for more than 28 days in any 52 week period.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Obligation to notify absence from New Zealand section 114 Social Security Act 2018
- If exception to general rule applies, beneficiary must notify MSD of absence regulation 141 Social Security Regulations 2018
- Discretion to pay benefit in respect of absences longer than total of 4 weeks in 52-week period regulation 148 Social Security Regulations 2018
