Been put on lay off - options.

[jarney]

Hello, I was layed off temporarily from work on Tuesday 10/04/2012 along with 2 other workers due to a reduction in work because of economic factors.
It's in our contract to get layed off without pay other than statutory guarantee pay, which is 23.50 per day for 5 days.
The companys working/paying week is from Wednesday to Tuesday and pay for that period goes in our banks on Fridays. On the first Friday (13/04) since being layed off I received a full weeks wage, which was for my last week worked. The next Friday (yesterday) I received my holiday pay, which was for 5 days. So now on the next Friday payday (27/04) I'll get the statutory guarantee pay of 23.50 for five days.
In the letter I received regarding the lay off, it ended by saying 'As you may be entitled to benefits this letter should be taken to the DSS as proof that you are on lay off'.

I'll be very grateful for any help and advice on the following questions:

1) What benefits can I claim? - I've been told job seekers allowance requires you to look for work, but I hope to go back and hopefully its temporary like the letter said. I read there is a benefit called temporary stopped benefit (EIM76224) which is paid during lay offs and short time working.

2) When should the claime be made? - As I've been paid on the first two fridays since my lay off date which was 10/04/2012, firstly for my last working week and then my five days holiday owed, should the claim be made from the day I was layed off or when I'm no longer receiving money from my employer.

3) Can I claim redundancy and when? - I read it's after 4 whole weeks of lay off or 6 or more whole weeks within a 13 week period. Does the 4 weeks start on the day I was layed off or when I'm no longer getting money from my employer.

Many thanks.

[factor-fiction]

Regarding (1), any benefits claims would also take into account other household income. You may be entitled to tax credit