Last 5 qualified years or since you have live in UK ?

[madscientist2]

Is there anyone who can help with my situation, please?

I am from (born) an EEU country. I arrived (and start full time job) to the UK in 2005. I worked full time until 2009 when I was redundant.
I was receiving the Jobseeker's Allowance from February 2009 up to August 2010 (after couple months they change it for the income-based JSA). During this period I did some part time courses at a college. Since August 2010 I have been self-employed/agency worker. As I was a low income person, I also received Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction during 2009-2010 (when i claim JSA)

I would like to apply for British Citizenship. As the law changed at the end of 2015, I have to apply for a permanent residence card: form EEA first.
Reading application form I have found some difficulties.
My question is:
Do I have to declare my benefits that I received 6-7 years ago and since then I have been a self-sufficient person?
Guidelines have made me confused. Once they mention about last 5 qualified years. It has been confirmed by many people telling me that I have to include only my last 5 years spent in the UK, as for this period is application made for.
Alternatively, the section 16 (Public funds) of an application states:
“This section asks for information about any public funds or state benefits (also known as ‘social
assistance’) you are claiming, or have claimed, or that your sponsor is claiming or has claimed
since you have lived in the UK”.
I have been absolutely confused as i know benefits can lower my chance for Residence Card.

[madscientist2]

This is my first and second post here so hello

Hopefully somebody have experience or knowledge with similar situation. Two weeks left before voting. I would like to send my application before it if it is possible.

[noajthan]

This is my first and second post here so hello

Hopefully somebody have experience or knowledge with similar situation. Two weeks left before voting. I would like to send my application before it if it is possible.

Welcome.

It is not necessary to use only the last 5 years in order to apply for a PR card.

You mention working from 2005 onwards so its quite possible that you acquired PR automatically at some time in 2010.
That is in a combination of worker and jobseeker categories of qualified person.

Are you an A8 national?
If so, were you fully and properly registered for WRS before 2011?

You may also be interested to know that submitting the latest and greatest 'monster' PR form is not actually a mandatory legal requirement.

If feeling hardcore you could apply for confirmation of PR by letter.
Or go commando and use an earlier (simpler) version of the form.