Q I am 76 with a State pension of £81.83 a week and a monthly works pension of £131.79. What savings can I have and still get Pension Credit (PC) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB)?

A There is no upper savings limit for PC. How savings affect your claim depends upon what other income you have as well. In your case, you could get PC if your savings are less than £22,000. Like most people, £16,000 is your savings limit for CTB. If your savings are exactly £16,000, for example, your council tax should be reduced to £116 a year.

Q How much council tax should I be paying? I have a State Pension of £104.39 a week and Pension Savings Credit of £5.91. My works pension is £105.64 a month and my allowance for mobility is £41.05 a week. I have about £1,500 in the bank.

A After the deduction of benefit, you should be paying no more than £142 a year.

Q I have been rejected for Income Support. My husband and I have weekly Incapacity Benefit of £81.95 and £66.15 respectively. We get reductions on rent and council tax but can we claim anything else?

A How long before the first of you reaches 60? Then you could get Pension Credit, which in your current circumstances would be £12.85 a week, plus full rent and council tax rebates. In the meantime, find out about Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if either of you needs care or has mobility problems.

Q Can we claim any help with our council tax of £825.68? My State Pension is £92.43 plus £41.05 allowance for mobility, Industrial Injuries of £48.04 a week and a works pension of £320.80 a month. My wife has Severe Disablement Allowance of £49.80 a week and DLA of £388.60 a month. Our savings are £8,000.

A If you claim underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance as your wife's carer, you should be eligible for a £3.60 a week reduction. The Department for Work and Pensions Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 can send you the forms and give other information about disability benefits.