How much NI do you have to have paid to be eligible for JSA?

[trixymalixy]

I'm struggling to find relevant info on the web!

Only part is contribution related, part is statutory regardless of contributions

2 previous full tax years of class 1 contributions - self employed NI contributions dont count for purposes of JSA (contributions based).

But what does a full year of class 1 contributions mean? Is there a minimum you have to have paid?

Not sure if there is a min monetary amount, I just know you have to have paid class 1 contributions for the 2 tax years prior to the application.

This is what confuses me.

In 2007 I would have been on mat leave for the period April to December. January to March I was paid as normal and I also got a £20k bonus in march.

So in terms of monetary amount i will definitely have been above the lower earnings threshold, but i won't have made contributions every month. So does this mean i have paid full contributions for that tax year because I earned above the threshold or do you need to have paid in every month?

Thanks for trying to help. I spent ages on the internet last night trying to get some info on this with no joy.

You should be fine as you would have been classed as in work whilst on maternity and the large bonus in March will have topped you up for the tax year (think its around £5400 you needed to have earned and paid NI on. So as long as 07/08 you were in employment and paying NI you should qualify based on what I can find on the web.

They may be able to advise you by phone of the amounts needed if you have a local office.