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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefits - Factors affecting benefit: refugee or protected person status

205: Refugee or protected person status

You could also call this:

“Financial help for refugees and others in special situations”

If you are waiting to be recognised as a refugee or protected person, or if you have already been recognised as one, or if you are applying for a residence visa but can’t leave New Zealand because of unexpected events, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) might be able to help you.

The MSD can give you an emergency benefit or temporary additional support. This means you can get some financial help even if you’re not a permanent resident of New Zealand.

This help is available even if you’re not normally allowed to get benefits because you’re not a resident or because you’re in New Zealand on a temporary visa.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783542.

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204: MSD may refuse or cancel benefit if person not ordinarily resident in New Zealand, or

“MSD can stop or reduce benefits if you don't usually live in New Zealand”

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206: Hospitalisation, or

“How your benefit changes if you're in hospital for a long time”

Part 4 Factors affecting benefits
Factors affecting benefits: Factors affecting benefit: refugee or protected person status

205Refugee or protected person status

  1. This section applies if MSD is satisfied that a person (P) is any of the following:

  2. a person lawfully present in New Zealand who is awaiting the outcome of the person’s claim for recognition as a refugee or a protected person:
    1. a person who is recognised as a refugee or protected person:
      1. a person applying for a residence class visa under the Immigration Act 2009 who is compelled to remain in New Zealand because of unforeseen circumstances.

        1. MSD may grant P—

        2. an emergency benefit under section 63:
          1. temporary additional support under section 96.

            1. This section overrides section 16 (residential requirement) and section 19 (general limitation on receiving benefit: persons unlawfully resident or present in New Zealand and persons holding temporary entry class visa).

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