Q We are 68 and 64 with an income that works out at £238 a week. This is made up of State Pensions of £115.53 and £55.11, plus monthly works pensions of £170.53 and £121.82. Our savings are £6,000. Do we qualify for any pension Credit or a reduction in our £930 council tax?

A Your income is too high for Pension Credit. The limit for a couple is usually £211.50 a week. But you are due £6.55 a week Council Tax Benefit.

Q My weekly State Pension is £136, works pension £86 a month and Industrial Injuries £96 a month. My wife's State Pension is £208 a month and our savings are £8,000. Do we get any Pension Credit or help with council tax of £110 a month?

A Again, as a couple with an income of more than £211.50 a week, you cannot get Pension Credit, but you are paying £10 a week too much in council tax.

Q I am a single woman getting £148.30 a fortnight Incapacity Benefit and a monthly company pension of £192.09. I pay £39.76 a week rent and £9.18 a week council tax. Could I claim any extra benefits?

A As you are a woman on Incapacity Benefit, that means you are under 60 and will not yet get the more generous treatment that comes with the Pension Credit rules. Nonetheless, you are still entitled to have your basic rent reduced to £25 and your council tax to £7.79 a week.

Q I am a widow with a four-weekly State Pension of £471.96 and monthly works pensions of £114.23, £139.06 and £19.96. Should I be paying full council tax of £823.88 a year?

A It depends how old you are. The rules that become more generous at 60 become even more so at 65. In your case, you would see a reduction of £4 a week in your council tax if you have reached 65. Otherwise, it would only be 75p a week.

Q Because I cannot get Incapacity Benefit and my husband is out of work, we live on £87.30 a week Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. Can I claim any other kind of benefit?

A Only Disability Living Allowance if your health problem means you need care and/or help getting about.