Yes or No to recourse to public funds form FLRM

Hi,

Am hoping some of you more knowledgeable gurus can help me on this one as it's stressing me out and driving me up the wall. I am in the process of applying for extension of stay in the UK as an unmarried partner.

My partner has indefinite leave to remain and we've been together and living in the UK for the past 7 years. My current visa which is a 4 year residence visa and was granted in discretion due to wrong advice given by a solicitor is due to expire in Mid November. The basis of my current visa does not involve my relationship to my partner. I met my partner while we were both living in the UK.

My partner and I currently claim working tax credits (paid to me), child benefit (paid to my partner) and child tax credits (paid to my partner). My partner works full time and I am currently self employed and have been since early 2009. We earn enough money to live without these benefits but due to our student years we currently live within our overdrafts.

I have recently graduated from university and have been searching for a full time job. I attended a successful interview last week with a company that is very interested in hiring me and am likely to be offered a job over the coming week.

My partner and I have a child together who is a British citizen and was born in December 2008.

Now the puzzling bit.

On form FLRM there is a question asking if me or my partner have recourse to public funds. Not sure whether to answer "Yes" or "No" to this as I read that my claiming working tax credits does not constitute a public fund due to my partners settled status and it being a joint application. Am not sure about the child tax credit and child benefit my partner claims however. I also read that the child benefit should not affect the application as long as she is claiming it as she is entitled to it?

The dilemma.

1. Should I answer "Yes" or "No"?

2. If I answer yes, do I tick the relevant boxes for both my partner and I or just for my partner.

3. If I answer No. The payments for these benefits show on both our bank statements which we will be submitting. Would that not show a discrepancy between the form and statements?

4. Should I submit a covering letter and my CV / Qualifications showing I am in a skilled industry and potentially have a job offer?

5. Applying in person is more expensive and I really can't afford it right now but would try make an effort if it advisable?

6. If I do get the job offer this week. Should I start working or will that cause problems when my current visa expires in about a month's time?

Very sorry for rambling on but didn't want to skip anything which may be potentially detrimental to the application.

Thank you very much for reading through and any advise that you may give.

Tom