From Spouse Visa to sattelment Visa without working?

• Dear all, I am having to struggle understanding the British immigration rules. I'm from South Africa and went to the UK under the working holiday rules. I then genuinely fallen in love to a British citizen and moved together. When my visa was about to expire we then decided to go to be married in South Africa and from there apply for the relevant spouse visa which was then granted with no issues and 3 days after submitting application, a smooth and well organized process..
  Today this visa is expiring and I was told to apply for a settlement visa. But reading through the application I have noticed a question which asks if my husband is working and how do we live if we are renting or live in a council accommodation).
  Unfortunately my husband was ill before I met him and out of work, he was also receiving disability allowance and we both lived in the flat assigned by the council to him.
  Off course we must state other ways as I do worry that based on my husband profile I may not be granted any settlement visa. Is it possible? even when we have a solid savings and my husband is using the time studying to reach another PhD (in fact he holds one already), that they may refuse me settlement? It would be devastating for both of us as we have been all the time together even with his parents and sisters.
  We both worry very much what to say as we truly committed to one another.
  Another problem is the fact that he changed his name time ago (the name we married on) but all his benefit incomes are registered under his old name which he had to keep as he feared it may have caused more confusion. Therefore all documents staying his income and so on are on a different name other then his new one…
  
  What can we do? I have been advised to state that he isn’t working due to illness but not in receipt of any benefits. Further to state we live in a rented accommodation other then council and as we did on the spousal application NOT to state any name changes.
  
  I know it is difficult to advice, but any suggestion is welcome. PLEASE Do reply on this forum and/or email me directly at [email removed]. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND INPUT. We both appreciate what you do.

  11 Aug 2008, 12:29 E Crabe