Hi I'm currently trying to claim JSA (contributions based - i don't qualify for income based jsa because of my wife's earnings) but my claim has been rejected as one of the years used for the assessment (2010-11) i have a shortfall of just over 100 pounds (9 weeks contributions) If i make a voluntary contribution to make up the shortfall, close my existing claim and open a new one, once the voluntary contribution has been processed, will i then be eligible ? 2 seperate people i have spoken to on the benefit centre phonelines have advised me to do this. However on the HMRC site i have read that voluntary NI contributions don't count towards JSA and am now very confused. I'd rather not pay £100 to make up the shortfall if any future claim for JSA will still get rejected It's frustrating that because there was a short time when i wasn't working or signing on that i am ineligible despite the many years of previously paid contributions and now on the one occasion i need help the application is refused Any advice welcomed

Thanks Ian..Diolch Rooster Is there a standard template letter for replying that their 4 week period is unacceptable ? Should i file court order exactly 14 days after i sent my first letter asking for refunds ? or a new letter stating 4 weeks is unacceptable but maybe allowing an extra week and giving them a date when i will lodge the court claim if they do not pay up by then ?

Sent the standard 14 day letter and had a response back saying that 'the fsa gives us 8 weeks to investigate the matter and respond to complaints' Whats the next step i should take ? Are they just using delay tactics and should i go ahead and issue the court order ?