A firend of mine had the same problem in Italy....as she had a 6 ,month old daughter and had not been working since mid pregnancy.....but she submitted all her prior work contracts.....with a cover sheet stating when and where she worked (as Italy has a tendancy not to give work contracts) she submitted lots of evidence (which she did not have to do in accordance with the directive) and was issued with a family permit free of charge 10 days later!!!
If I was you I would complain to the European Commission and Solvit and anybody else you can think of.....and they will have to issue you with a permit!!! They have to!
Follow the link below!!
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/your_ ... rms_en.htm
It is not right that emabassies are getting away with not implementing the Directive!
A settlement visa costs alot of money right?