Stamps V Credits

Hi can soneone please advice me what is the difference between paying a stamp and a credit, i was just told the 6 months i was on ML i was not paying stamps only credits therefore i will not be able to claim Jobseekers Benefit as i have not enough stamps , Confussed big time.

Credits will go towards your record of contributions for pension purposes but you need a certain number of paid contributions to entitle you to jobseekers benefit.