Q I am a widow of 79 with a State pension of £103.93 and my late husband's works pension of £202.46 a month. My savings are £14,000 and I pay council tax of £640. Am I eligible for any rebate or Pension Credit?

>A A single person cannot usually get Pension Credit if their weekly income is assessed as more than £144. As savings of £14,000 count as income of £16 a week, that puts yours at £166. However, you could get Council Tax Benefit of £3.21 a week.

Q My Retirement Pension is £440.62 a month, while my husband's monthly Incapacity Benefit is £296.60 and private pension is £44.62. Can we claim Pension Credit?

A Not at present. But when your husband's Incapacity Benefit changes to State Pension at 65, the rules become more generous and it might be worth claiming then. In the meantime, you should be due a substantial council tax rebate.

Q At 72, I have been the full-time carer for my 77-year-old husband since he had a stroke three years ago. He receives Attendance Allowance, but I do not claim Carer's Allowance because I am already getting more than this from the State Pension. Now, I have heard of Invalid Care Allowance and wonder if this would be of use to me.

A I am afraid not. This is just the old name for Carer's Allowance. However, you may still claim underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance. This could mean that you would qualify for Pension Credit or Council Tax Benefit, because you would be treated under the more favourable rules that apply to carers. You can obtain the Carer's Allowance claim form by ringing the Department for Work and Pensions Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00.

Q We receive a Post Office Pension of £88.94 a week, State Pensions of £85.35 a week for me and £82.69 for my wife. We have no savings. I now have to pay £2.70 a week Income Tax. Should I be paying council tax of £82 a month?

A I make it £76 a month, so query it with the council.