If anyone is able to help us with a question relating to the financial requirement section of the FLR(M) application we would be hugely grateful. We keep getting told different information and being left in the same position as where we started

Background:
I am currently resident in the UK on a Tier 2 Post-study work visa which expires next February (2016). My partner (who is British) and I were hoping to apply to FLR (M) category B. All of our documents seem to be in order but we are trying to get clarity on how we are able to combine our incomes to meet the financial requirement as the situation is complicated. We are planning to apply in September.
Financial requirement:
My partner has been completing her masters studies during the last year but by the time of the application, she will be earning £24,000 (in excess of the £18,600 threshold). So when we apply she will have had the job for only a couple of months, hence category B.
Therefore, the challenge is in meeting the second requirement of £18,600+ earnings in the 12-month period preceding our application. She had a non-salaried part time job for 2 months whilst studying, but nowhere near £18,600, so we need to combine our earnings.
I had salaried employment for 12 months and was earning £25,000 but the contract ended in July and I am now in unsalaried employment and will be up until the date of application in September.
So the questions we have are:
1. Are we actually able to use my income for the 12 months prior to application?
2. How will the 12 months income be calculated given that I am not currently earning threshold, but I was previously?
Any answers would be much appreciated!