is the job centre right

[McHappyPants2012]

www.metro.co.uk/news/896342-falklands-and-gulf-war-veteran-told-hes-not-eligible-for-benefits

i am not sure what to think of this tbh, surley he would of made sure he had some saving to come back to.

the title is awful, have messaged MN to amend it

surely a round the world trip of 2 years is not enough to claim someone doesn't have close ties to england?

That's just odd.

You can't get closer ties to england than serving in its bloody armed forces! So it can't be the 16 years he was serving that made him lose his ties to england!

This is a local (to me) story and I believe there is more to it. Will try and find the link. I 'think' they have reason to think he is only here for a short period and planning on leaving again on another trip. Which fits with the clause in benefits. Still ridiculous though.

Going on another trip?

If he can't afford a roof over his head or a toothbrush, how is he going to get out of the country to go on this trip? Or feed himself on it?

He spent 16 years in the services. Surely he's entitled to a few years' worth of trips. He needs to contact Veterans Aid (0800 012 6867 if anyone happens to be able to pass the number on to him).

he will have been paid for those 16 years in the services jux.

And?

Presumably everyone with a job gets paid? However, not everyone with a job has the pleasure of being shot at or bombed etc.

A job he picked to do why he should be exempt from the conditions anymore than say a fireman a doctor a teacher etc

I dont recall the gulf or falklands being conscription. People choose to do that job.

Many firefighters, and police work in dangerous situations on a daily basis, and do not get the hero worship that we seem to give our armed forces.

There is obviously more to this tale than has been reported on that article. How did he fund his "round the world" trip for example.

my mum has been punched, spat at, sworn at, had medical equipment thrown at her, false complaints made against her, been verbally abused, despite working far longer hours than she is paid for, being constantly shattered and sometimes wanting nothing less than to have to care for that patient at that moment in time after having been attacked by them. i think she deserves a fucking medal for sticking it out for 40 years. she wouldn't get special rules made for her by the benefit crew either though.

Sorry but those are the rules, you need to be 'ordinarily resident'.

Just read a it more, he sold everything to fund his trip and signed his house over to his ex. So he set off just expecting the tax payer to pick up the tab as soon as he gets home.

He has just had a 2 year holiday and he is complaining! Doesn't he get an army pension?

That's a different clause though. I read about a couple on benefits who won a few million on the lottery, spent it but had nothing to show for it and when they tried to claim benefits again it was refused. It was said they purposely put themselves in that position and the it wasn't believed they had no money because they hadn't actually bought anything. It all went on good times. That's different then what's quoted in this story.
My laptop isn't working I will see if I can find the story I read later and post it.

What sassh has said does change it.

Booyhoo, I think your mother deserves a medal; I think most people in the NHS deserve a medal; actually a medal's a bit useless, so something better than that (status, respect, an assured comfortable retirement and so on, would probably be more helpful).

I still think the guy should contact Veterans Aid.