Q What could I claim if I gave up work to care for my wife, who has had a bad stroke and needs a lot of looking after? Our savings are £6,000 and there are still seven years left on the mortgage. We are both 52.

A It all depends on whether your wife will qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for care, paid at either the middle rate of £39.35 a week, or the higher rate of £58.80. If so, you could then claim Carer's Allowance of £70.85 a week and Income Support of £63.85 a week. You would also get your council tax paid in full and, in due course, a mortgage allowance. If your wife has problems walking, she could also get DLA for mobility of £41.05 a week.

Q I am 64 with a weekly State pension of £85.13, a monthly works pension of £251.83 and £1,262 in savings. My mortgage is £93.73 a month and my council tax is £62. Can I claim anything?

A Yes. You are entitled to a council tax rebate of £4.40 a week. No Pension Credit is due, but you will be entitled to something when you reach 65 and the rules become more generous.

Q We have joint weekly State Pensions of £176 and a monthly works pension of £158. With savings of £11,000, could we get Pension Credit or a reduction on our council tax of £732.34?

A You are not entitled to Pension Credit, but you are due £6 a week Council Tax Benefit.

Q My State Pension is £446.76 a month and my partner's is £90.38 a week. I have a quarterly works pension of £52.02 and we have £13,559 savings. Are we getting all we are due?

A Claim Council Tax Benefit. You should be paying no more than £425 a year.

Q We get £5.34 Pension Credit on top of our weekly State Pensions of £120.85 and £48.32. Our savings have gone down to £19,000 after we paid for some house repairs. Will this affect our Pension Credit?

A Yes. You are due an increase of £1.20 a week.