No help for hero reduced to living in a tent

A WAR hero who served his country for 16 years is living in a tent in a friend’s garden after failing a test by benefits bosses.

John Heaps, 50, who served in The Falklands conflict, the first Gulf War and in Northern Ireland, was told he did not qualify for any benefits because he failed the Department for Work and Pensions’ habitual residence test – which is designed to make sure benefits are given to those with firm ties to the country.

Mr Heaps, who met Prince Charles and Princess Diana twice at events for servicemen, was told that he could not even get a crisis loan of 67p to buy a new toothbrush and now the former military man spends each night sleeping alone in his tent in the garden of a friend in Leeds.

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He recently returned from a two-year trip cycling around the world, a lifelong ambition in which he covered 23,000 miles.

During it, he took in countries including France, Spain, Bulgaria, Cambodia and China.

Before leaving, he had sold almost all of his possessions to fund the trip, gave up his job as a dock supervisor and signed his house over to his ex-partner.

He returned to the UK at the end of February with just his bike and small trailer, keen to find employment and said he wanted to claim benefits to get in a position to begin his search for a job.

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Mr Heaps said: “This wasn’t what I was hoping for when I came back home.

“One of the first questions I was asked when I made my claim was ‘why have you come to England?’

“But I’m English by birth and this is my home.

“I think it’s disgusting. I’ve been in foreign countries where people have come and given me water and offered me food without even asking.

“But I come back to England and I’m told I’m entitled to nothing.”

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Mr Heaps, who served with the former Sixth Ordnance Battalion, now part of the Royal Logistics Corps, said: “I haven’t claimed benefits before and I’ve paid money in when I’ve worked, like a piggy bank.”

The former soldier is now relying on the generosity of his friends.

Despite serving his country and paying tax and national insurance for 15 years following his Army career, he was told he was not eligible as he had failed the DWP’s habitual residency test.

Mr Heaps started his career in the Army in 1978 and finished when he was a corporal in the mid-1990s.

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He is a divorced father of two teenage boys. His mother and sister live in the UK, as do his two brothers – one of whom served in the Army and the other who still does. His father and grandfather also served in the Army.

But despite these ties to the country, he is currently destitute and relying on the generosity of his friends.

He received a £55 voucher from the state so he could buy some shoes, trousers and a shirt for a job interview.

Mr Heaps, who is also towards the bottom of the housing waiting list, said: “I have always been of the opinion that everybody is supposed to be treated as an individual but they do not listen to each individual story.

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“I think it stinks, it beggars belief. I have travelled the world but this is my place of birth and my home. Essentially all that’s happened is I’ve been on holiday.

“I am not demanding anything from them but I just want a bit of help while I search for a job. I have a birth certificate, a passport, I have my military record. Since I left the army I worked in a variety of jobs and paid my taxes.

“I accept I haven’t put anything in for two years but I also haven’t asked for anything either.

“As far as I’m concerned I should be entitled to help,” Mr Heaps added last night.

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Mr Heaps has attended three interviews in the past week and is due to have another this week but hopes an appeal to the DWP will be successful so he can have assistance while he continues his search for a job.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “The Habitual Residence Test ensures that income related benefits are paid to people with reasonably close ties to the UK and who have an intention to settle here. Anyone can appeal a decision and we will look at any new evidence they supply.”

The spokeswoman added that support may be available through crisis loans and invited Mr Heaps to get in touch for any further information about his claim.