FLR(M) Financial Requirement Help Please

[shasus7]

Hi everyone! I've been a silent reader of this forum for nearly 2 years. I must say it's fantastic to see everyone here is contributing so positively and helping each other out,especially the moderators. It has hugely benefited me so far to prepare the required documents for my ILR application based on LR which I'll submit in September 2014. My application is pretty straightforward, I hope. 10 years on Student Visa with no out of time applications or any significant gaps, in fact I've only been out of country for 3 months in 10 years. So, I hope my application will come through OK though you never know with UKBA! My wife has been here with me since June 2012 and her PBS dependent leave expires 30 January 2015. Due to the recent changes in family rules, I've got a few questions regrading my wife's FLR(M) application. I'd be really grateful if moderators and members can help me out with these please.

1. I understand we need to satisfy income threshold requirements now. My wife has a full-time job with approximate annual income of £12000 from a non-salaried job (Category A) and luckily I've got a part-time (18.5 hours/week) salaried job with annual salary of £9000 (Category A). I can only work part-time due to Tier 4 visa status! Our combined total is £ 21000. I'd like to know if it's acceptable by UKBA to combine our incomes to meet income threshold of £18600 the way I've described?

2. For my salaried job, it is stipulated in my contract that I work 18.5 hours/week but there is no mention of hours in my payslip! Just gross pay and deductions, is that normal for part-time salaried job payslips? Or should I ask my employer to add number of hours hours worked in my payslip as well?

3. I get paid in my bank account same amount as shown on my payslips by standing orders. Do the payments have to be BACS transfer from employer or standing orders will be OK?

4. Recently, I had to take a new passport due to my old passport expiring beyond renewal (for my country, we need a new passport every 10 years!). In the new passport, I've changed my signature from the old one. Both passports are stapled together though. My concern is, all the previous documents of cohabitation, previous UKBA applications and other relevant documents have my old signature and from now on I'll use my new signature, so do I have to mention this in a covering letter (I'll send them both passports new and old) to the caseworker or they will be able to work this out themselves?

Your help is greatly appreciated in advance and keep up the good work everyone. Just to emphasise how great you guys are, I came to know about the family rule changes through this forum, then in a panic started to look for a part-time job since only my wife's income doesn't satisfy the the income threshold requirements and luckily I had more than 6 months before my wife's FLR(M) application and also managed to get a job as mentioned earlier. Had it not been for this forum I wouldn't even be aware of the changes and surely wife wouldn't be apply for leave to remain using FLR(M). So hats off to all of you:)

[Amber]

You may combine incomes.

The payslips don't have to state hours rather must be original formal payslips issued by the employer and showing the employer's name.

It doesn't matter how the money is credited to your bank, just as long as it tallies with the payslip.

Signatures shouldn't be an issue.

[shasus7]

Thanks a million Amber for your quick response:) You are a superstar! You have just reduced my list of worries to virtually none. Before I stop bugging you anymore for time being, just wanted your opinion on something if you have a moment. In your estimate, do you reckon I may get a decision on my SET(LR) if I apply on September 15, 2014 before my wife's visa expires on January 30, 2015? As I've mentioned earlier, my case looks pretty straightforward. Thanks for your time.

[Amber]

Regardless you apply for her FLR(M) before her current leave expires asking for a decision to be made after yours.