IT Contractor claim Dole

Hi,
I am an IT contractor with a limited company. I have not worked since March 2009. I have not wound up my company yet as I am currently looking for a new contract. I have never sought to go on the dole in this time.
What options are available to me as claiming assistance and can I claim back to when I stopped working?

See keypost and section on self-employed. You can apply to sign back but you will have give good reason for not claiming at time of unemployment.