yes, it looks like they've just started allowing people who came to the uk within 3 months of the issue date of their visa to apply for ILR instead of FLR
probably linked with the change of the spouse visa being valid from 24 to 27 months...
you still must apply before you're visa expires, and you could be waiting a while like 3 or 4 months for result of your visa app.. unless you apply for FLR, but then your applying for 2 visa's.. but you'll not have to wait so long for each result... and you'll be £400 worse off..
anyway check with the H/O that this is correct and maybe email them and send a copy of the email along with your ILR app
oh and if you want to take it to the PEO, then you'll have to apply for FLR, and then ILR. if you apply for ILR only you can only post it (because your app will not be processed til you've been in the uk near 2 yrs)