Q As the carer of a disabled person, how can I protect my future State pension and reduce my council tax?

A If you get Carer's Allowance (CA), you will qualify for National Insurance credits that will help you build up your State Pension. If you do not get CA, you may be eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), which makes it easier to qualify for a State Pension. You can apply for HRP on form CF411, obtainable from any JobCentre Plus. Where two people share accommodation, and one of them is the carer, the 25 per cent single person's discount on council tax may be appropriate. This is because the carer may be ignored for council tax purposes, but not where the carer is the partner.

Q I am a widow aged 65 and my only income is Retirement Pension of £86 a week and lowest rate Disability Living Allowance. I have been refused Pension Credit because my savings of £23,000 are too high. Is this right?

A Not according to my reckoning. Now you are 65, you should be due about £10.

Q I am 62 and get Pension Credit for me and my wife aged 50. She receives Child Tax Credit for our two teenagers who are still at school. I also have Disability Living Allowance. How much would my wife and children be allowed to earn without it affecting benefit?

A In the case of a couple, any earnings they have over £10 a week are deducted from Pension Credit. This level may be raised to £20 if you had been claiming Income Support as a disabled person when you turned 60 and your wife had worked continuously since before then. As regards the children, what they earn will have no effect.

Q Our monthly State Pensions are £346.84 and £285.76. Our monthly works pensions are £297.60 and £54.28 and my Industrial Injuries £48 a month. We have £3,000 savings. We were turned down for Pension Credit, but can we get a reduction on our £44-a-week rent and £91-a-month council tax?

A No rent reduction, I am afraid, but you are due £3.50 a week in Council Tax Benefit.