New Job part time - effect on JSB

I got a new job.. Am delighted I thought I would have to sign off straight away, but someone mentioned to me that I might still qualify for JSB...
1) My new job is 21 hrs a week 3 days a week... do I qualify for JSB for other days, if I am still available to work other days? Or should I just sign off until the job ends - it is only a six month contract.

2) If I do qualify to get a lower rate of JSB for 6 months, will this count as part of my 12 months of JSB?
I signed on in Apr 10 and qualify for JSB until Mar 11? Would I better off to sign off in full now, and save the rest of JSB until Jan 11 in case I would not get work again for a while.... am doubtful I would qualify for JSA?

Thanks in advance.

Casual work or part-time work

You may get Jobseeker’s Benefit if you can only get part-time or casual work. You must be unemployed for at least 3 days out of a period of 6 consecutive days and continue to look for full-time employment.
For each day you are unemployed, one-sixth of the normal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit is payable, provided that you are unemployed for at least 3 days out of a period of 6 consecutive days. For example, if you get casual work for 2 days, you can get four-sixths of the normal Jobseeker's Benefit for that week.
You must claim Jobseeker's Benefit for at least 3 days in any week. If you get 4 days work, Jobseeker's Benefit is not paid for the other 2 days.
Generally speaking, you cannot get Jobseeker's Benefit for a day on which you do casual or part-time work, unless, it comes within the subsidiary work rules (see below).

1) My new job is 21 hrs a week 3 days a week... do I qualify for JSB for other days, if I am still available to work other days? Or should I just sign off until the job ends - it is only a six month contract.

Click to expand...

You will get JSB for the other 3 days.

2) If I do qualify to get a lower rate of JSB for 6 months, will this count as part of my 12 months of JSB?

Click to expand...

Yes. It will.

Thanks for your replies