does JSA affect child tax credits?

[BellaBoo0512]

I've been searching and applying for jobs for the last week and according to the benefit calculator on the directgov website I am entitled to jobseekers allowance of 70 odd pounds a week.. contribution based.

My husband is off sick with an injury at the moment and we are really struggling so the JSA would be a big help but I'm not sure what contribution based means and if it would affect my child tax credits?

I've applied in the past and they wouldn't give me any money but paid some national insurance contributions for me why I was out of work, they said I could only claim JSA if I have never worked, which I have so I don't know if there is much point me applying

 

[My_First]

Contribution based JSA is based on your National Insurance contributions. So basically if you have worked for a set period of time prior to claiming (thereby paying your NI), you will be able to claim JSA for 6 months ONLY. Now the other JSA is income based, which means based on your joint income, you can claim JSA if you are on low income, partner working less that 24 hours a week etc. I think you will have to ask about the tax credits as I think it depends on which JSA you are claiming.

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Contribution based JSA is based on your National Insurance contributions. So basically if you have worked for a set period of time prior to claiming (thereby paying your NI), you will be able to claim JSA for 6 months ONLY. Now the other JSA is income based, which means based on your joint income, you can claim JSA if you are on low income, partner working less that 24 hours a week etc. I think you will have to ask about the tax credits as I think it depends on which JSA you are claiming.

Ok thanks. I was employed from June 2010 - November 2013 with a total of 2 months breaks in between so I don't know if I'll be entitled. There's not much point me claiming if it will affect my tax credits anyway.