EEA2 application: Self employed but very LOW INCOME

[nick3000]

Hi there,

My Japanese wife is about to apply for her EEA2 residence card

Brief background:
* I'm originally from the UK and now back in the UK with my Japanese wife (via the Surinder Singh route after many years exercising my treaty rights in Spain).
* We got a family permit before leaving Spain (with help from this forum!).
* We've been here in the UK for 2 and a half months
* My wife doesn't work - she looks after the kids

2 things I'd appreciate help with:

1.
I'm self-employed in the uk but I'm not earning much - maybe around 800 pounds a month gross but it fluctuates. Will I have problems with the EEA2 application process - since my income is so low and I need to support a family including my wife and kids? Is there a threshold (official or not) for minimum income for me to be considered "economically active"?
(I'm hoping that the fact that I've searched for one and not found one means that the answer is that low income is not an issue(?))

2. From reading around, I've seen mixed messages about when to apply. Most seem to say that we can apply anytime before the date of expiry of the family permit, but others say that it should be towards the end of the FP validity. We'd like to apply as soon as possible to get the ball rolling. Any advice?

Many thanks for your help!

[Jambo]

1. Under Surinder Singh you are not required to work in the UK.
2. She can apply whenever she wishes - from your first day back till never. RC is not mandatory.

See Q5 in EEA FAQs - Common Questions - Read before posting - Surinder Singh.