Post by Rogue Trader on Apr 11, 2012 9:59:28 GMT -5
Tomorrow a newspaper reporter is coming to interview me.
The story has nothing to do with my recent travels, but it is related in a small way.
I returned home to the UK, after 685 days on a bicycle. I arrived at my final destination, Pudsey, England.
I knew things were going to be difficult. When I left, I left everything behind me. A broken marriage, a home, and my family and friends. I knew I was going to return to nothing, but never actually realised what that would fully entail.
I put up my tent in my friends garden, and he was over the moon to see me sleeping there when he looked out the window that morning. I never told him I was returning.
A little History - I joined the British Army at the young age of 16 1/2 years old, and served for nearly 18 years. During that time I served in a few hot spots and was awarded a few medals for my services. NI, the Falklands Conflict, Kuwait, and Op Desert Storm to mention a few.
After leaving the forces I never spent any longer than 6 weeks without a job, during those brief periods I never bothered going to the employment offices to claim benefits, and therefore as far as I was concerned all my contributions and taxes were banked in my favour.
Return to the Future - I waited a week after getting back home before going to the Job Centre to start searching for a job. Also, I wanted to make a claim for unemployment benefits and job seekers allowance to see me through until I found suitable employment.
There were many questions and forms to fill in, and one of my interviewers asked me 'Why have you come to England?'
After a week I received a letter telling me that I was not entitled to any benefits. Not even a crisis loan - because of all things I had failed a residency test. At the moment I'm in limbo - not knowing if I am allowed to stay in the country.
I'm homeless and still living in my tent. My homeless situation was assessed and I have been placed in the least needy group possible. Though I have no running water, no sanitation facilities and nowhere to cook. I'm penniless, and can get no assistance. I have no money for food. When I asked for some assistance I was advised to either go begging, or to charities.
I'm not bitter and I'm not kicking up a fuss. This whole situation is my own fault, but I can't get my head around the reasons for failing my residency test. I was born here, raised here. Fought for Queen and Country, and paid my dues.
On a brighter side - I have a job interview on Friday ... so I'm hoping.
I want the reporter to carry on with his interview, not so I can get my name spread across the papers. I want it to carry on so that this mess does not happen to anyone else, to try and make my government, out government change their stance on immigration and benefits that all immigrants seem to get, but, which are denied to those more deserving.
Sorry, for the rant, but injustice is injustice.
Does this sort of thing happen in the States.
The story has nothing to do with my recent travels, but it is related in a small way.
I returned home to the UK, after 685 days on a bicycle. I arrived at my final destination, Pudsey, England.
I knew things were going to be difficult. When I left, I left everything behind me. A broken marriage, a home, and my family and friends. I knew I was going to return to nothing, but never actually realised what that would fully entail.
I put up my tent in my friends garden, and he was over the moon to see me sleeping there when he looked out the window that morning. I never told him I was returning.
A little History - I joined the British Army at the young age of 16 1/2 years old, and served for nearly 18 years. During that time I served in a few hot spots and was awarded a few medals for my services. NI, the Falklands Conflict, Kuwait, and Op Desert Storm to mention a few.
After leaving the forces I never spent any longer than 6 weeks without a job, during those brief periods I never bothered going to the employment offices to claim benefits, and therefore as far as I was concerned all my contributions and taxes were banked in my favour.
Return to the Future - I waited a week after getting back home before going to the Job Centre to start searching for a job. Also, I wanted to make a claim for unemployment benefits and job seekers allowance to see me through until I found suitable employment.
There were many questions and forms to fill in, and one of my interviewers asked me 'Why have you come to England?'
After a week I received a letter telling me that I was not entitled to any benefits. Not even a crisis loan - because of all things I had failed a residency test. At the moment I'm in limbo - not knowing if I am allowed to stay in the country.
I'm homeless and still living in my tent. My homeless situation was assessed and I have been placed in the least needy group possible. Though I have no running water, no sanitation facilities and nowhere to cook. I'm penniless, and can get no assistance. I have no money for food. When I asked for some assistance I was advised to either go begging, or to charities.
I'm not bitter and I'm not kicking up a fuss. This whole situation is my own fault, but I can't get my head around the reasons for failing my residency test. I was born here, raised here. Fought for Queen and Country, and paid my dues.
On a brighter side - I have a job interview on Friday ... so I'm hoping.
I want the reporter to carry on with his interview, not so I can get my name spread across the papers. I want it to carry on so that this mess does not happen to anyone else, to try and make my government, out government change their stance on immigration and benefits that all immigrants seem to get, but, which are denied to those more deserving.
Sorry, for the rant, but injustice is injustice.
Does this sort of thing happen in the States.