Q My husband is 56 and gets income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for us both of £87.30 a week. When I am 60 in January, I will be due a State pension of £83 a week. If he is still out of work then, will I be able to claim my pension? What can he claim?

A Yes, you can claim your pension. Then there is Pension Credit but, as this becomes payable at 60, it is you and not your husband who must claim. It will bring your joint income up to £160.95 a week, but your husband should stop claiming JSA. He might need to carry on signing at the Jobcentre, however, to get National Insurance credits to protect his State Pension. He can find out if he needs to do this by ringing 0845 3000 168 and requesting a pensions forecast.

Q I lost my husband in March last year and remarried. My new husband also lost his wife in January last year. Would either of us have qualified for a Bereavement Payment?

A Bereavement Payments of £2,000 go to those who are under pension age (60 for women, 65 for men) when their spouse dies. People over pension age may get them, but only if their deceased spouse was not getting a State Pension based upon their National Insurance contribution record.

Q My partner and I were both in full-time work, but I had to give up due to ill health. We do not have children. Because my partner does not have a great wage, is it possible to claim Working Tax Credit?

A Only if your joint gross income is less than £14,600 a year. You can find out more about Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits by ringing the Inland Revenue Helpline, on 0845 300 3900.

Q Now that my mother has been placed in a nursing home permanently, I am living alone with a wage of £15,000 a year gross and responsibility for rent and council tax. Am I entitled to any benefits?

A Not to any low income benefits, but now you are living alone, make sure you are receiving the single person's 25 per cent discount on your council tax.