and Special Needs Grants Programme
To: The Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development.
Pursuant to sections 5 and 124 (1) (d) of the Social Security Act 1964, the Minister for Social Development and Employment makes, by this instrument, the following amendments to the Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits given on 25 May 1999, the Recoverable Assistance Programme (as established and approved on 15 February 1999) and the Special Needs Grants Programme (as established and approved on 18 December 1998).
Dated at Wellington this 24th day of June 2004.
STEVE MAHAREY, Minister for Social Development and Employment.
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I n s t r u m e n t
1. Title-This instrument is the instrument amending Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme.
2. Commencement-This instrument comes into effect on 1 July 2004.
3. Direction and welfare programmes amended-The Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, the Recoverable Assistance Programme and the Special Needs Grants Programme are amended in the manner set out in the Schedule.
Schedule
Clause 3
Amendments to Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme
Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits
Insert in clause 1.1, after the definition of advance, the following definition:
"beneficiary:
"(a) means the person granted a benefit; and
"(b) includes the spouse of the person referred to in paragraph (a) if some or all of that benefit is payable to that spouse under section 83 of the Act."
Add the following clause:
"7.3 Travel for stranded beneficiaries;
7.3.1 For the purpose of enabling the beneficiary to return to his or her usual place of residence, the chief executive may make an advance of not more than $200.00 for travel to a beneficiary who is:
(a) stranded away from his or her usual place of residence; and
(b) unable to pay for that travel due to circumstances which could not reasonably be foreseen.
7.3.2 If any of the beneficiary's spouse or dependent children (a dependant) is, together with the beneficiary, also in the circumstances set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) of clause 7.3.1, the amount of an advance under that clause may be increased by not more than $200.00 for each such dependant in those circumstances."
Recoverable Assistance Programme
Insert, after clause 11.10, the following clause:
"11.11 Travel for stranded persons
11.11.1 For the purpose of enabling the applicant to return to his or her usual place of residence, the chief executive may grant a payment of not more than $200.00 for travel to an applicant who is:
(a) stranded away from his or her usual place of residence; and
(b) unable to pay for that travel due to circumstances which could not reasonably be foreseen.
11.11.2 If any of the applicant's dependent children is, together with the applicant, also in the circumstances set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) of clause 11.11.1, the amount of a payment under that clause may be increased by not more than $200.00 for each such dependant child in those circumstances."
Special Needs Grants Programme
Revoke clause 11.6.
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Explanatory note
This note is not part of the instrument, but is intended to indicate its general effect.
This instrument, which comes into effect on 1 July 2004, amends the Direction on Advance Payment of Benefits, Recoverable Assistance Programme and Special Needs Grants Programme to provide that grants for travel for stranded persons who are beneficiaries are made as benefit advances, and for non-beneficiaries, as recoverable assistance payments.