Gideon Resnick

But now that Whelan's back home in Michigan, he told NPR he's struggling to get access to basic services he needs to reenter society.

But now that Whelan's back home in Michigan, he told NPR he's struggling to get access to basic services he needs to reenter society.

Whelan's conviction in Russia, where he was accused of spying on what the U.S. has called bogus charges, is the reason he's experiencing so many problems at home now. He was detained for five years and seven months, beginning in December of 2018.

Whelan's conviction in Russia, where he was accused of spying on what the U.S. has called bogus charges, is the reason he's experiencing so many problems at home now. He was detained for five years and seven months, beginning in December of 2018.

Whelan's conviction in Russia, where he was accused of spying on what the U.S. has called bogus charges, is the reason he's experiencing so many problems at home now. He was detained for five years and seven months, beginning in December of 2018.

And when he got back to the U.S., Whelan told NPR the laws that govern how unemployment benefits are awarded meant that he technically did not qualify because he hadn't recently worked in the state of Michigan. He couldn't renew his global entry card with Customs and Border Patrol either.

And when he got back to the U.S., Whelan told NPR the laws that govern how unemployment benefits are awarded meant that he technically did not qualify because he hadn't recently worked in the state of Michigan. He couldn't renew his global entry card with Customs and Border Patrol either.

And when he got back to the U.S., Whelan told NPR the laws that govern how unemployment benefits are awarded meant that he technically did not qualify because he hadn't recently worked in the state of Michigan. He couldn't renew his global entry card with Customs and Border Patrol either.

To get an ID and a driver's license, a member of Congress had to intervene and reach out to Michigan's secretary of state. And Whelan told NPR that he's also faced major problems getting access to Medicaid.

To get an ID and a driver's license, a member of Congress had to intervene and reach out to Michigan's secretary of state. And Whelan told NPR that he's also faced major problems getting access to Medicaid.

To get an ID and a driver's license, a member of Congress had to intervene and reach out to Michigan's secretary of state. And Whelan told NPR that he's also faced major problems getting access to Medicaid.

That shouldn't have been an issue. In 2020, Congress passed a law to guarantee U.S. hostages and their families receive medical care and assistance for five years after their release. But then Congress never appropriated funding for it. Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, told NPR it's, quote, unacceptable that lawmakers haven't secured that funding yet.

That shouldn't have been an issue. In 2020, Congress passed a law to guarantee U.S. hostages and their families receive medical care and assistance for five years after their release. But then Congress never appropriated funding for it. Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, told NPR it's, quote, unacceptable that lawmakers haven't secured that funding yet.

That shouldn't have been an issue. In 2020, Congress passed a law to guarantee U.S. hostages and their families receive medical care and assistance for five years after their release. But then Congress never appropriated funding for it. Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat, told NPR it's, quote, unacceptable that lawmakers haven't secured that funding yet.

But Whelan tells NPR despite the lack of government support he's received since getting home, there have been some bright spots. His community has rallied around him. Car dealers have offered leased vehicles. Private practitioners have offered medical support. Still, he says what he's experienced since coming home has felt very isolating.

But Whelan tells NPR despite the lack of government support he's received since getting home, there have been some bright spots. His community has rallied around him. Car dealers have offered leased vehicles. Private practitioners have offered medical support. Still, he says what he's experienced since coming home has felt very isolating.

But Whelan tells NPR despite the lack of government support he's received since getting home, there have been some bright spots. His community has rallied around him. Car dealers have offered leased vehicles. Private practitioners have offered medical support. Still, he says what he's experienced since coming home has felt very isolating.

And Whelan tells NPR one of his biggest goals as a free man is to help improve how the government supports former hostages deal with the aftermath of what is for many the darkest chapter of their life. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following.

And Whelan tells NPR one of his biggest goals as a free man is to help improve how the government supports former hostages deal with the aftermath of what is for many the darkest chapter of their life. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following.

And Whelan tells NPR one of his biggest goals as a free man is to help improve how the government supports former hostages deal with the aftermath of what is for many the darkest chapter of their life. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following.