Pursuant to section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018, notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development.

A copy of the instrument is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

This instrument, which comes into force on 20 April 2020, is the COVID-19 New Zealanders Stranded Overseas Support Programme and is made under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018. The programme provides non-recoverable special assistance to New Zealand beneficiaries and superannuitants who are stranded overseas because of the effects of COVID-19, until it can be reasonably expected that they can return to New Zealand.

Assistance under the programme is available to applicants who were receiving; New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension, a main benefit or supplementary assistance immediately before leaving New Zealand, who have been unable to return to New Zealand because of travel restrictions due to the effects of COVID-19 and who would, if they had returned to New Zealand when they anticipated, have otherwise remained entitled to receive payment at the domestic rate. Lump sum payments of assistance are also available under the programme for those applicants whose intended return date was prior to the commencement date of the programme or who have experienced hardship.

The instrument is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and is administered by the Ministry for Social Development.

Dated this 20th day of April 2020.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development.