Foilsiú
Operational Guidelines: Guardian's Payment (Contributory)
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Ireland / United Kingdom Social Security arrangements from 1st January 2021
The European Union and the United Kingdom agreed a Trade & Cooperation Agreement which contains a Protocol on Social Security to take effect from 1st January 2021. The Protocol provides for a wide range of social security issues into the future. On the 31st December 2020, the Convention on Social Security agreed between Ireland and the United Kingdom was commenced. Together these Agreements ensure, that all existing social security arrangements for Irish & UK citizens are maintained into the future. Ireland as an EU Member State, will extend on a unilateral basis the advantages of the Convention to Union citizens, as required.
For Brexit-related information see:
For information on social welfare entitlements see:
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is a social insurance based payment made in respect of a child who satisfies the definition of “orphan” under Irish social welfare law.
For the purpose of this document, any reference to ‘payment’ means a Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), unless otherwise stated.
In general, this payment is made to the person who cares for the child. Receipt of this payment does not prevent a person from receiving any other social welfare payment they may be entitled to, but they cannot be paid an increase for qualified child on any social welfare payment in respect of the orphan. See “Multiple Payments” and “Disqualifications” below for more information.
This payment was introduced on 1 January 1936 and was called Orphan’s Contributory Allowance until July 2006, when it was given its current title, in recognition of the fact that the original remit of the scheme had been extended to include certain children who had not lost both parents through bereavement.
The legislative provisions relating to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) are contained in Chapter 19 of Part 2 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 as amended, and in Article 222 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007, (Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007), as amended.
Appendix 1 lists the main legislative provisions, where relevant, in more detail.
The principal EU legislation governing social security for migrant workers is Regulation (EC) 883/04. Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is classified as a survivor’s benefit under EU Regulations; Article 52 of Regulation (EC) 883/04 therefore applies where entitlement falls to be calculated under EU Regulations.
This Regulation is accompanied by implementing Regulation (EC) 987/09, which covers the practical implementation of Regulation (EC) 883/04.
The legislation governing Ireland’s Bilateral Agreements is listed in Appendix 2.
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is administered by:
Orphan
For the purpose of this payment, social welfare law defines an “orphan” as “a qualified child:
“both of whose parents are dead"
or
"one of whose parents is dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child, as the case may be, and whose other parent is unknown, or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child,"
"where that child is not residing with a parent, adoptive parent or step-parent”[1].
In deciding whether a child can be considered an “orphan” for the purpose of this payment, the Deciding Officer in the case must, in cases where the child has one or more parent still living, be satisfied that the child has been abandoned and that their parent or parents have “failed to provide” for them.
Guardian
For the purpose of this payment, social welfare law defines a “guardian” as:
“the person in whose care an orphan normally resides”[2].
Abandonment and failure to provide
There is no legal definition of “abandonment” or “failure to provide”. In cases where the child has one or more parent still living, the Deciding Officer examines the circumstances which led to the child being looked after by someone other than their parent, assesses the relationship between the child and the parent(s) and arrives at a decision as to whether the child is an “orphan” for the purpose of the payment.
Deciding Officers are responsible for deciding on entitlement to social welfare payments. They are appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and are independent in the exercise of their role. In arriving at their decision, Deciding Officers are bound by the legal provisions in the Social Welfare Acts and Regulations, and are expected to be familiar with the relevant operational guidelines, for example, Decision Making and Natural Justice.
Deciding Officers must apply the relevant social welfare legislation to the facts of each case, which are established by considering the evidence provided.
When determining whether a child has been abandoned, a Deciding Officer will consider the following:
[1] Section 2 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended
[2] Section 133(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended
This list is not exhaustive and, due to the complex and sensitive circumstances often involved in such cases, the Deciding Officer may request and consider such other evidence as they see fit, before arriving at a decision on a case.
A parent is considered to have failed to provide for their child where they do not provide financial support for or towards the care of the child.
Abandonment and failure to provide includes the failure of a parent’s duty to provide for the emotional and physical necessities of life required by the orphan[3].
[3] See pages 53-55 of the Social Welfare Appeals Office Annual Report 2015.
Guardian’s Payment Contributory is payable in respect of an orphan, where either a parent or stepparent of the orphan has paid at least 26 qualifying social insurance contributions.
PRSI contribution classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, P, N and S are reckonable for this payment, as are voluntary contributions at the high, low and special rate.
Where the Irish social insurance record of a parent or step-parent is not sufficient to establish entitlement to Guardian's Payment (Contributory), i.e. where there are less than 26 Irish social insurance contributions, the Irish social insurance record may be combined with reckonable social insurance contributions in another country subject to EU Regulations.
The countries subject to EU Regulations are listed in Appendix 2.
The countries with which Ireland has a Bilateral Agreement are:
Appendix 3 lists the legislation governing these Bilateral Agreements, which determine how the weekly rate is calculated.
Ireland also has a Social Security Understanding with Quebec which came into effect on 1 October 1994.
Receipt of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) in respect of an orphan does not disqualify a guardian (as defined above) from receiving any other social welfare payment to which they may be entitled.
Receipt of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) in respect of an orphan does not disqualify a guardian (as defined above) from receiving any other social welfare payment to which they may be entitled.
An Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) is not payable on any social welfare payment, in respect of an orphan for whom Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is in payment[4].
An orphan may receive any of the following payments in their own right, without affecting the continuing payment of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) to their guardian:
If an orphan becomes entitled to any social welfare payment not included in the list immediately above, there is no further entitlement to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) in respect of that orphan.
Payments under the Child Care Act
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is not payable in respect of a child for whom a payment is being made under Part VI of the Child Care Acts, 1991 to 2011.
This includes children in respect of whom a Foster Care Allowance or Aftercare Payment is being made.
Imprisonment
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is not payable while an orphan is undergoing penal servitude, imprisonment or detention in legal custody.
In the event that a guardian is undergoing penal servitude, imprisonment or detention in legal custody, they can no longer be considered to be the person in whose care the orphan normally resides. Therefore, a new application for payment must be made by the person in whose care the orphan subsequently resides.
[4] See Section 247(2) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended and Appendix 1 of this Guideline.
A person must apply to the department for Guardian’s Payment (Contributory).
The GP1 application form is available:
The guardian should complete the form in full and sign it. Where the guardian is not able to sign the form, they can make their mark instead, but this must be witnessed.
The completed form, along with all necessary supporting documents, should be sent to:
It is an offence for a person to knowingly make a false or misleading statement or to provide documents or information which they know to be false in some respect for the purpose of obtaining or establishing entitlement to payment.
A person found guilty of such an offence could be liable to a substantial fine or term of imprisonment of up to 12 months or both. Any overpayment would also be repayable to the department.
A person may, depending on their financial circumstances, apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on their application for Guardian’s Payment (Contributory).
Evidence of births and deaths which occurred in the State is available to the department and documentary evidence of these events is not required.
In all other cases, when requested to do so by a Deciding Officer, a person applying for this payment must provide evidence such as birth and death certificates, if available and any other documents requested, to the Deciding Officer.
A claim for Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) should be made within three months of date of entitlement, that is, the date the applicant became the person in whose care the child resides. A failure to claim on time may result in loss of payment[5].
A person is disqualified from receiving payment for any period more than 6 months before the date on which the claim is made.
Claims received on or after 6 April 2012
Where a claim is received on or after 6 April 2012, payment can be backdated up to 6 months from the date of receipt. Payment can be backdated further only where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer that the delay in claiming the payment was due to:
Claims received between 1 January 1997 and 5 April 2012
Where a claim was received between 1 January 1997 and 5 April 2012, payment can be backdated up to 12 months from the date of receipt. If the claim was made more than 12 months late, payment is backdated to the first 12 months and proportionately for the remainder of the delay period.
Payment can be backdated further only where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer that the delay in claiming the payment was due to:
Payment may also be backdated further in cases where the person had a level of financial indebtedness which they could not reasonably finance.
Claims received before 1 January 1997
Extra statutory provisions allowed for backdating of late claims received before 1 January 1997. Where a late claim was received, payment can be backdated up to 6 months from the date of receipt. If the claim was made more than 6 months late, payment is backdated to the first 6 months and proportionately for the remainder of the delay period.
Payment can be backdated further where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer that the delay in claiming the payment was due to:
Payment may also be backdated further in cases where the person had a level of financial indebtedness which they could not reasonably finance.
[5] See Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended by Section 9 of the Social Welfare Act 2011 and Articles 182 and 186 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007, (S.I. 142 of 2007), as amended by S.I. 240 of 2009.
When arriving at a decision, the Deciding Officer will consider the available evidence, establish the facts of the case and apply the relevant social welfare legislation to the established facts. See Decision Making and Natural Justice for more information.
Deciding Officers are responsible for deciding on entitlement to social welfare payments. They are appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and are independent in the exercise of their role. In arriving at their decision, Deciding Officers are bound by the legal provisions in the Social Welfare Acts and Regulations, and are expected to be familiar with the relevant operational guidelines, for example, Decision Making and Natural Justice.
When a Deciding Officer has made a decision on entitlement to payment, they send a letter to the person, notifying them of the outcome of their claim.
If the claim has been awarded, the letter lists the range of circumstances which could affect continuing entitlement to the payment and asks them to advise the department of any changes in these circumstances.
Any certificates or documents which have been submitted in support of the claim are returned with the letter, if not already returned earlier.
If the claim has been disallowed, the letter explains the basis for the decision and also advises the person of their right to appeal against the Deciding Officer’s decision. The appeal must be lodged within 21 days of the date of the notification letter. See ‘Appeals’ below.
Any decision of a Deciding Officer may be revised by a Deciding Officer if new information or evidence comes to light or if the original Deciding Officer made a mistake in relation to the law or facts of the case. A person has the right of appeal against a revised decision.
See Decision Making and Natural Justice and Revised Decisions and their Date of Effect for more information.
If a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they can appeal directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, by writing to that Office within 21 days, outlining the grounds of their appeal.
See Social Welfare Appeals Office – An Introduction, Social Welfare Appeals Office – Appeal Hearings for more information.
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is paid on Friday, weekly in advance.
See Payment-related issues for more information.
People living in the Republic of Ireland can have their payment paid by one of the following methods:
Arrears of payment may be included in the normal method of payment or paid by cheque.
A person may change their payment method, Post Office, financial institution or account by writing to the department.
In general, people living outside the Republic of Ireland are paid only by Electronic Fund Transfer into an account. If that account is in an institution in the Republic of Ireland, they are paid weekly, as described above. Otherwise they are paid every four weeks (one week in advance and three weeks in arrears).
In certain cases, people living outside the Republic of Ireland cannot be paid by Electronic Fund Transfer. Only these people are paid by cheque.
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is paid while the guardian and the orphan continue to satisfy the relevant qualifying conditions.
Before being considered an orphan, a child must first satisfy the condition of being a “qualified child” (see Definitions above).
A child is regarded as a qualified child up to age 18, or, if they are in full-time education by day at any university, college, school or other educational establishment, up to the end of the academic year in which the qualified child reaches age 22.
Payment of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) automatically stops when the orphan turns 18. It can only be paid past the age of 18 when the orphan remains in full-time education and the necessary documentary evidence is provided by the person receiving the payment. In such cases, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) can be paid at most up to the date the orphan ceases full-time education or age 22, whichever is the earliest. If an orphan reaches the age of 22 during the academic year, the payment is paid to the end of that academic year.
The department may, in certain cases where the orphan is aged 18 or over, suspend payment over the summer and issue a form to be completed and stamped by the educational institution concerned, affirming that the orphan remains in full-time education, before re-instating the payment from the date of suspension.
Lost or stolen Department of Social Protection cheques or EIT cards should be reported to the department immediately. The Gardaí should also be notified if a cheque or EIT card is stolen.
A person who is unable to collect their payment may nominate another person to collect it on their behalf.
See Payment-related issues for more information.
A person receiving this payment must notify the department in writing if they change address or if they want to change the Post Office or bank account to which their payment is paid.
Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is payable outside the Republic of Ireland. If a person receiving the payment is leaving the country for more than a few weeks, they should tell the department the date they are leaving the country and their new address.
If they are being paid by EIT, they must return their card to the department and provide details of the bank account into which they wish the payment to be made.
The department has a duty to ensure that it pays the right person the right amount of money at the right time.
There is an onus on all customers of the department to assist with this process when requested, confirming identity and other necessary details which may affect their entitlement to payment.
When a person is awarded Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), they are sent a letter which includes a list of the range of circumstances which could affect their continuing entitlement to the payment and asks them to advise the department of any changes in these circumstances.
The following are some of the circumstances and events which may affect a guardian’s entitlement to payment:
Failure to notify the department of any of the above events may result in overpayment of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) and any overpayment may be recovered by the department either by way of lump sum repayment or deductions from a social welfare payment. See Overpayment Recovery for more information.
The department may carry out a review of any person’s payment at any time.
A review is always carried out when the department is notified of any change in circumstances which may affect entitlement. This review may involve a visit from a Social Welfare Inspector and/or direct correspondence or phone contact with the person.
Periodic reviews are also carried out by the department to confirm that the payment is correctly in payment, and that the qualifying conditions for receipt of payment continue to be fulfilled.
There is an onus on all customers of the department to assist with the review process when asked to do so, confirming their identity and other necessary details.
Where, despite the efforts of a Deciding Officer, including written communication to the person, it is not possible to establish the facts of a case as a result of failure on the part of the person to provide evidence or information, payment may be suspended until the relevant evidence or information has been provided by the person or a person acting on their behalf.
Payment will be stopped if the Deciding Officer decides that the person no longer satisfies the qualifying conditions for the payment.
In cases where a Deciding Officer proposes to decide that a person is no longer entitled to payment and where that proposed decision is based on evidence of which the person is not aware, the Deciding Officer may write a letter to the person, outlining the reasons for their proposed decision and giving them an opportunity to respond to the letter and, if they wish, provide other evidence. This letter is called a Natural Justice Letter.
The person is given 21 days in which to reply to a Natural Justice Letter. The Deciding Officer will reexamine the case if the person provides new evidence or information.
If no new evidence or information is provided or if the evidence or information provided is considered by the Deciding Officer to have no material bearing on the case, the Deciding Officer will make a decision revoking the payment. The person has the right of appeal against this decision.
The process outlined in the paragraphs above does not apply where the decision to reduce or revoke payment is based on information provided by the person or a person acting on their behalf.
See Decision Making and Natural Justice and Revised Decisions and their Date of Effect for more information.
If an overpayment has occurred it may be recovered by the department. See Overpayment Recovery for more information.
This Appendix is intended as a guide only and is not a definitive list of all social welfare legislation in this area.
The main legislative provisions relating to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) are contained in:
In this Appendix, any reference to “Section” means a Section of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 as amended and any reference to “Article” means an Article of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007, as amended, unless otherwise stated.
All Acts and Statutory Instruments listed in this Appendix can be viewed online at www.irishstatutebook.ie.
Section 2
Defines the following terms for the purpose of this payment:
Section 130
(1) states that guardian’s payment (contributory) shall be payable in respect of an orphan where the contribution condition in section 131 is satisfied
(2) states that guardian’s payment (contributory) shall not be payable for any period during which a payment is made in respect of a child under Part VI of the Child Care Act 1991 and any regulations made thereunder[6]
Section 131
(1) specifies the contribution conditions for guardian’s payment (contributory); not less than 26 qualifying contributions must have been paid by either a parent or step-parent of the orphan
(2) provides for regulations to modify these contribution conditions
Section 132
Provides that the weekly rate of payment is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2
Section 133
(1) provides that the payment shall be paid to the guardian of the orphan
(2) defines “guardian” as the person in whose care an orphan normally resides
(3) provides that the Minister, where he or she thinks fit, may direct that payment of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) be paid to some other person, other than the guardian, for the benefit of the orphan. This subsection also provides, subject to conditions and in the circumstances that may be prescribed in regulations, for the payment to be made directly to an orphan aged 18 years or more, where that orphan is not normally residing with a guardian.
Section 247(2)
Provides that where Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is payable in respect of a qualified child, an increase for a qualified child cannot be paid with any other social welfare payment.
[6] This wording was inserted by Section 17(a) of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007.
Article 222
(1) states that, notwithstanding the provisions regarding multiple payments in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, an orphan can receive any of the payments listed in Article 222(3) without affecting the entitlement of their guardian to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory).
(2) disqualifies orphans from receipt of certain social insurance payments in cases where they are already in receipt of certain other payments and, at the same time, a guardian is receiving Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) in respect of them.
(3) lists the payments an orphan can receive without affecting the entitlement of their guardian to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory).
| Country | Regulations | S.I. No. | Date of effect |
| Australia | Social Welfare (Revised Agreement with Australia on Social Security) Order, 2005 | 799 of 2005 | 01/01/2006 |
| Australia | Social Welfare (Agreement with Australia on Social Security) Order, 1992 | 84 of 1992 | 01/04/1992 |
| Austria | Social Welfare (Agreement with the Republic of Austria on Social Security) Order, 1989 | 307 of 1989 | 01/12/1989 |
| Canada | Social Welfare (Agreement with Canada on Social Security) Order, 1991 | 317 of 1991 | 01/01/1992 |
| Japan | Social Welfare (Agreement with the Government of Japan on Social Security) Order 2010 | 527 of 2010 | 01/12/2010 |
| Korea | Social Welfare (Agreement with the Republic of Korea on Social Security) Order 2008 | 552 of 2008 | 01/01/2009 |
| New Zealand | Social Welfare (Agreement with New Zealand on Social Security) Order, 1994 | 57 of 1994 | 01/03/1994 |
| Switzerland | Social Welfare (Agreement with the Swiss Confederation on Social Security) Order, 1999 | 206 of 1999 | 01/07/1999 |
| United Kingdom | Social Welfare (Bilateral Agreement with the United Kingdom on Social Security) Order 2007 | 701 of 2007 | 01/10/2007 |
| United States of America | Social Welfare (Agreement with the United States of America on Social Security) Order, 1993 | 243 of 1993 | 01/09/1993 |
All Statutory Instruments listed in this Appendix can be viewed online at www.irishstatutebook.ie.
Country: Australia
Regulations: Social Welfare (Revised Agreement with Australia on Social Security) Order, 2005
Article: 15
1. A claim, notice or appeal concerning a benefit, whether payable by a Party by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, may be lodged in the territory of either of the Parties in accordance with administrative arrangements made pursuant to Article 19 at any time after the Agreement enters into force.
2. The date on which a claim, notice or appeal referred to in paragraph 1 is lodged with the Competent Institution of the other Party shall be treated, for the purposes of assessing entitlement to benefit, as the date of lodgement of that document with the Competent Institution of the first Party. The Competent Institution to which a claim, notice or appeal is lodged shall refer it without delay to the Competent Institution of the other Party.
3. A claim for a benefit from one Party shall be considered as a claim for the corresponding benefit from the other Party if the claimant:
(i) so requests; or
(ii) provides information at the time of the application indicating that the person had a period of residence or contributions under the social security laws of the other Party.
Country: Australia
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With Australia on Social Security) Order, 1992
Article: 12
1. A claim, notice or appeal concerning a benefit, whether payable by a Party by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, may be lodged in the territory of either of the Parties in accordance with administrative arrangements made pursuant to Article 16 at any time after the Agreement enters into force.
2. The date on which a claim, notice or appeal referred to in paragraph 1 is lodged with the Competent Institution of the other Party shall be treated, for the purposes of assessing entitlement to benefit, as the date of lodgement of that document with the Competent Institution of the first Party.
Country: Austria
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With The Republic of Austria on Social Security) Order, 1989
Article: 17 and 21
ARTICLE 17
(1) Any notice or claim which should, for the purpose of a claim for benefit under the legislation of one Party, have been submitted to an institution of that Party, shall be treated as if it had been submitted to that institution, if it is submitted to an institution of the other Party which is competent to deal with claims to the corresponding benefit of the latter Party.
(2) Any claim for benefit submitted under the legislation of one Party shall be treated as if it were a claim for the corresponding benefit under the legislation of the other Party insofar as that corresponding benefit is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 21
(1) This Agreement shall not establish any entitlement to payment of a benefit for a period before its entry into force.
(2) In determining entitlement to a benefit under this Agreement, insurance periods completed under the legislation of a Party before the entry into force of this Agreement shall be taken into consideration.
(3) Subject to paragraph (1) of this Article, this Agreement shall also apply to contingencies which occurred before its entry into force, insofar as previously determined entitlements have not been settled by lump-sum payments. In cases to which this paragraph applies, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement:
(a) the amount of a benefit due only by virtue of this Agreement shall be determined from the date of entry into force of this Agreement at the request of the beneficiary;
(b) the amount of a benefit which had been determined before the entry into force of this Agreement shall be recalculated at the request of the beneficiary. (…continued overleaf)
Where the claim for determination or recalculation of the amount of a benefit is submitted within two years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the benefit shall be paid from that date; otherwise the benefit shall be paid from the date determined under the legislation of each Party.
(4) In the case of subparagraph (3) (b) of this Article, Article 19 shall apply accordingly.
Country: Canada
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With Canada on Social Security) Order, 1991
Article: 17
1. Any claim, notice or appeal concerning the determination or payment of a benefit under the legislation of one Party which should, for the purposes of that legislation, have been presented within a prescribed period to the competent authority of that Party, but which is presented within the same period to the authority of the other Party, shall be treated as if it had been presented to the competent authority of the first Party.
2. A claim for a benefit under the legislation of one Party shall be deemed to be a claim for the
corresponding benefit under the legislation of the other Party, provided that the applicant:
(a) requests that it be considered as an application under the legislation of the other Party, or
(b) provides information at the time of application indicating that reckonable periods have been completed under the legislation of the other Party.
However, the applicant may request that the claim to the benefit under the legislation of the other Party be deferred.
3. In any case to which paragraph 1 or 2 applies, the authority to which the claim, notice or appeal has been submitted shall transmit it without delay to the competent authority of the other Party.
Country: Japan
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement with the Government of Japan on Social Security) Order 2010
Article: 21
1. When a written application for benefits, an appeal or any other declaration under the legislation of a Contracting State is submitted to a competent authority or competent institution of the other Contracting State which is competent to receive similar applications, appeals or declarations under the legislation of that other Contracting State, that application for benefits, appeal or declaration shall be deemed to be submitted on the same date to the competent authority or competent institution of the first Contracting State and shall be dealt with according to the procedure and legislation of the first Contracting State.
2. The competent authority or competent institution of a Contracting State shall send the application for benefits, appeal or any other declaration submitted in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article to the competent authority or competent institution of the other Contracting State without delay.
Country: Korea
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With the Republic of Korea on Social Security) Order 2008
Article: 17
1. Any claim, notice or appeal concerning the determination or payment of a benefit under the legislation of a Contracting Party which should, for the purposes of that legislation, have been presented within a prescribed period to a Competent Authority or an Agency of that Contracting Party, but which is presented within the same period to the Competent Authority or Agency of the other Contracting Party, shall be treated as if it had been presented to the Competent Authority or Agency of the former Contracting Party.
2. An application for benefit under the legislation of one Contracting Party shall be deemed to be also an application for a corresponding benefit under the legislation of the other Contracting Party provided that the applicant provides information indicating that periods of coverage have been completed under the legislation of the other Contracting Party. The foregoing shall not apply if the applicant explicitly requests that the determination of entitlement to old-age benefit acquired under the legislation of the other Contracting Party be deferred.
3. In any case to which paragraph 1 or 2 of this Article applies, the Competent Authority or Agency to which the claim, notice or appeal has been submitted shall indicate the date of receipt of the document and transmit it without delay to the Competent Authority or Agency of the other Contracting Party.
Country: New Zealand
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With New Zealand on Social Security) Order, 1994
Article: 16
1. An application duly lodged for a benefit under the social security laws of one of the Contracting Parties shall be regarded as an application duly lodged under the legislation of the other Contracting Party.
2. The date of receipt of any application or other document submitted to one competent authority or competent institution shall be regarded as the date of receipt of such application or other document by the other competent authority or competent institution. Any application or document so received shall be transmitted without delay to the competent institution of the other Contracting Party.
Country: Switzerland
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With The Swiss Confederation on Social Security) Order, 1999
Article: 23
1. A claim submitted to a competent institution in the territory of a Contracting State for a benefit in accordance with the legislation of that Contracting State shall also be deemed to be an application for a corresponding benefit in accordance with the legislation of the other Contracting State. This shall not apply if the claimant declares that the determination of a benefit pursuant to the legislation of a contracting State is deferred in the case of age.
2. The date of receipt of a claim in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be the date on which the claim was recorded under the legislation of the first Contracting State.
Country: United Kingdom
Regulations: Social Welfare (Bilateral Agreement With the United Kingdom on Social Security) Order 2007
Article: 32
(1) Any claim or appeal which should, for the purposes of the legislation of one Party, have been submitted within a prescribed period to the competent authority of that Party, shall be treated as if it had been submitted to that competent authority if it is submitted within the same period to the competent authority of the other Party.
(2) Any claim to benefit submitted under the legislation of one Party shall also be deemed to be a claim to the corresponding benefit under the legislation of the other Party in so far as this corresponding benefit is payable in accordance with this Convention.
Country: United States of America
Regulations: Social Welfare (Agreement With The United States of America on Social Security) Order, 1993
Article: 12
1. A written application for benefits filed with the Agency of one contracting State shall protect the rights of the claimants under the laws of the other Contracting State if the applicant requests that it be considered an application under the laws of the other Contracting State.
2. If an applicant has filed a written application for benefits with the agency of one Contracting State and has not explicitly requested that the application be restricted to benefits under the laws of that Contracting State, the application shall also protect the rights of the claimants under the laws of the other Contracting State if the applicant provides information at the time of filing indicating that the person on whose record benefits are claimed has completed periods of coverage under the laws of the other Contracting State.
3. The provisions of Part III shall apply only to an application for benefits which is filed on or after the date this Agreement enters into force.