When you don't meet your benefit obligations

If you or your partner don't tell us about changes in your life that might affect your benefit entitlement, or rate, then:

• your benefit may be reviewed and cancelled
• you may have to pay back the total amount of any overpayment that you've received
• we may impose a penalty (up to 3 times the value of the overpayment)
• you may be prosecuted and fined and/or imprisoned.

Going overseas

If you or your partner intend to travel overseas and don't let us know before you leave New Zealand, your benefit will be stopped the day after you leave New Zealand.

If your partner doesn't complete their youth activities (if required) without a good and sufficient reason:

• for the first time within a year, your benefit will be reduced by 50%
• for the second time within a year, your benefit will continue to be paid at 50% (if you have dependent children), or stop (if you don't have dependent children). Your benefit will restart if your partner undertakes the activity they failed to do.
• for the third time within a year, your benefit will continue to be paid at 50% (if you have dependent children), or stop (if you don't have dependent children). Your benefit will restart if your partner agrees to take part in an approved activity for at least 6 weeks and you're still entitled to your benefit. If your partner doesn't agree to take part in the activity, you won't be able to get another benefit for 13 weeks.

If you want to dispute or discuss our decision, you have five working days to contact us after we've advised you that you've failed your obligations before your benefit payments are affected.

If you still disagree with our decision after discussing it with us you are entitled to: