Contribution Base JSA - Is it worth applying?

[nothing_to_declare]

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.

[nothing_to_declare]

Bump!!

[nothing_to_declare]

Anyone??

[wa51mmm]

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