Contribution Base JSA - Is it worth applying?

My immigration history in the UK:

Nov 2006 - Nov 2008: WP
Nov 2008 - present: Tier-1 (G)
(and, getting nightmares about the proposed July 2011 changes, as my ILR eligibilty date is Nov 2011 AND I entered the UK on a WP rather than HSMP)

- Have been in full time employment (37.5 Hrs/week) from Nov 2006 to present.
- Never been unemployed while in the UK.

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My wife's immigration history:
Sep 2007 - Nov 2008: WP dependant
Nov 2008 - present: Tier-1 Dependent

- Worked part-time from Nov 2008 to Jan 2010, hence paid NI contributions in Tax years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010.
- NI contributions very minimal as worked only part-time.
- Lost the part-time job in Jan 2010. Been unemployed and actively looking for work since then.
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A friend informed us that my wife could be eligible for Contribution-based JSA and this is not restricted by our immigration status and will NOT effect any future ILR (or rather earned citizenship) applications.

I could find the JSA claim online page on Direct Gov:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_178228

But, before my wife submits her Contribution Base JSA claim online I have some questions:

- Is it really worth applying for Contribution Base JSA?
- She only worked part-time, so has very minimal NI contributions, but they spread over the past two tax years (which is an essential requirement for claiming Contribution Base JSA)
- She didn't work for full-length of either of the previous two tax years. Only worked for Nov 2008 - March 2009 and then April 2009 - January 2010.
- I work for 37.5 hrs a week (full-time). Will this be a deciding factor in accepting/rejecting her claim?


I am also worried that if the claim gets mistakenly picked up as an application for income-based job seekers allowance, our immigration history in the UK will be deeply affected and we may never be able to apply for the ILR (or earned citizenship) or even a Tier-1(G) extension.

I ask all you veterans and other boards members for advice on this matter as we don't want to be caught on the wrong side of the law.

Bump!!

Anyone??

contribution based jsa means that all of your NI contributions have been fulfilled......

they are not given if the contributions are not paid in full for each year.


i think they will not be able to if this is not the case.
on thhe contrary it might be income based JSA