rights if i am in london since 1997

[devine]

Hello,

I hope someone knows the answer for this. I came to the uk in 1997. I do not hold any documents of that except my school qualifications, other certificates, i had NI, worked etc. A few years ago around 2007 i registered and got a residence card. I lost it in Germany two summers ago or so. Now, i was claiming job seekers allowance, then i closed it and reclaimed for some reasons and i received a letter asking for 'verification of your leave to remain in the uk, a copy of your workers registration card and a copy of any worker's registration certificates for any employement you have done in the UK'

it also says another letter seems to be sent out the same day: 'we cannot pay you job seekers allowance from 29th july 2010 we have used tax years ending 5th april 2007 and 5th april 2008 to assess your claim'

so for the second letter a lady from job centre said i have filled in the wrong form and i have to fill in the one that is JUST for the income based job seekers allowance and for the first letter i sent them explaining that i have lost it and can only get it later in the months if i reapply (although i am not sure if i can receive some sort of replacement straight away and how should i go about it, i faxed the home office or whoevers fax number they gave me asking for a replacement for eea2 residence card).

so this is all messed up, i dont know what to do, before this my benefits after finishing university were going fine. if i am not intitled to benefits if anyone knows do you know if i can be self employed and be entitled for it somehow or something? i dont know what to do about this as i dont know any of these laws and i read somewhere that if i was in the uk before 2004 i dont need to register with the home office. usually i am just treated as a home student and also got a student loan like that simply.

would anyone be able to advise? thank you.
regards.
erika b.

[mochyn]

What is your immigration status?