Q Could my wife claim Carer's Allowance for looking after me now she has taken early retirement? I receive Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility.

A To receive Carer's Allowance, the carer must be looking after someone who receives either Attendance Allowance or DLA for care paid at the middle or higher rate. If you need a lot of help with personal care, contact the office dealing with your DLA and ask for it to be upgraded.

Q My husband, who is 82, is in a care home because of Parkinson's Disease. As his capital is more than £20,000, he has to pay the care home fees in full. He has State pension, Attendance Allowance and pensions from work, but my only income is the married woman's State Pension of £49.09 a week. Can I get Pension Credit or any help with my council tax of £82 a month?

A With your husband in care, you and he are treated separately for benefits, so only your income and capital will count. As you have a low pension income, you can have significant capital and still qualify for benefit.

In fact, you would get Pension Credit if your personal capital is less than £53,000 and full Council Tax Benefit if it is less than £34,000. You can claim Pension Credit by calling 0800 99 1234.

Q My husband is about to retire and will have a State Pension of £100, plus a works pension of £75 a week. I have a State Pension of £66.26 and our savings are £8,000. Will we receive any benefits towards our rent and council tax?

A It depends on how much you have to pay for rent and council tax. After deduction of rebates, you should be paying no more than £666 a year council tax and £41.63 a week basic rent.

Q I am shortly to receive a State Pension of £119 a week and monthly private pensions of £128 and £120. My wife's State Pension is £47 and her private pension is £68 a month. Can we get help with council tax?

A If your council tax is more than £600 a year, yes.