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A woman who was forced on to benefits after being made redundant is encouraging others to carry on education while claiming.

Catherine Heckford-Dickinson was made redundant in late 2015 from her job as a prison teacher, meaning she had to apply for contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).

At this time, Ms Heckford-Dickinson enrolled on a BEng (Hons) Engineering Technology course through the Open University, in order to top–up her previous maths qualifications, and she was unable to work on a Friday due to lectures.

However, in doing what she hoped would better herself, Ms Heckford-Dickinson says she was told by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) she was not being co-operative.

“I was prepared to work any hours in any job, just not on a Friday,” said Ms Heckford-Dickinson, who is now 44.

“I told the Job Centre I would work nightshifts and weekends, but I had university on a Friday and so couldn’t work then.

“But I just got a backlash saying I was making myself unavailable for work, and I was told I would be expected to apply for jobs regardless of whether I needed to work on a Friday or not.

(Image: PA)

“I wasn’t making myself unavailable at all, I was trying to better myself, and I felt like I was being forced off my degree.”

Ms Heckford-Dickinson was placed on a Mandatory Work Activity (MWA), a programme where individuals had to work for their benefits or risk being sanctioned.

People placed on MWA could have been asked to work up to 30 hours of unpaid work per week in exchange for not losing their £73.10 payment.

The scheme was scrapped in 2016 after it was found the programme was largely ineffective at getting people into jobs and it had little impact on employment prospects.

“The woman at the Job Centre even sat there grinning as she made phone calls saying there were 'no restrictions' for me to do the Mandatory Work Activity, even though I told her I had university to attend”, said Ms Heckford-Dickinson, who lives in James Reckitt Avenue.

“I felt so undignified, as if they were looking down their nose at me.”

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Ms Heckford-Dickinson took on several jobs while claiming JSA, including domiciliary care work.

After three months in the benefit system, she managed to find work as a supply teacher with the hours easily scheduled around her university work, and she says it was the best thing she could have done.

“I want people who are on benefits not to give up on education”, she said.

“I stuck with my degree and I am now working towards becoming a chartered accountant, but that’s no thanks to the DWP who actively attempted to hinder me.

“I graduated with a 2:1, which opened doors and helped get me where I am, and I really do sympathise with people who have to deal with the DWP on a long-term basis.

“One thing that really sickens me is that they have the hypocrisy to turn up to events such as Women into Engineering and Manufacturing under the pretence of empowering women, when the truth is they’re all about box-ticking and targets.

“Forcing people with potential into low-paid work makes them more likely to end up on benefits in the future.”

A spokeswoman for DWP said: “We are unable to investigate Ms Heckford-Dickinson’s case as it’s been over four years since she claimed JSA.

“Our Work Coaches provide personalised support and advice for jobseekers, which includes directing them to training schemes which may suit their career plans.

“We also have a universal job match service which helps people search for new positions and makes their CV’s visible to prospective employers.”