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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Administration - Commencement, stand downs, ending, and expiry and regrant - Commencement of benefits

311: General

You could also call this:

“Rules about when your benefit starts after you apply”

When you apply for a benefit, there are rules about when it starts. Your benefit will start on the later of two dates: either the date you became eligible for the benefit, or the date you sent in your application.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, you might get a benefit right away as a temporary measure. Other times, your benefit might start from an earlier date than when you applied. There are also special rules for veterans and for New Zealand Superannuation.

These rules are part of a law called the Social Security Act 2018. The law mentions other sections and acts that have more details about when benefits start. If you need to know more, you can look at those parts of the law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783783.

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Part 6 Administration
Commencement, stand downs, ending, and expiry and regrant: Commencement of benefits

311General

  1. A benefit commences on the later of the following dates:

  2. the date the applicant became entitled to receive the benefit; and
    1. the date the application for the benefit was received.

      1. This section is subject to—

      2. section 302 (immediate provisional grant, and later backdating of other benefit); and
        1. sections 74, 312 to 317, and 319 (which contain exceptions and special rules relating to commencement of benefits); and
          1. Part 6 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014; and
            1. Part 1 of the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001.

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