For Your Benefit: Your War Pension is ignored

A Only about 70p a week, but as Derwentside ignores War Pensions, you could have your council tax reduced to about £79 a year.

Q Because I look after my wife, who receives Attendance Allowance (AA) due to motor neurone disease, I tried to claim Carer's Allowance (CA). However, I was told I could not receive it because my £94.59 State Pension was more than CA. Also that I could not claim rebates on my rent and council tax. My wife has a State Pension of £47.65 and my works pension is £455 monthly. Is there anything I can claim?

A From the many letters such as yours that I receive, it seems some benefit staff still do not understand the rules on this. True, you cannot receive CA because of your pension, but you do have underlying entitlement to it. This will give you more generous treatment when you claim help from the council with rent and council tax. In your case, I estimate this will give you about £20 a week extra. Get your CA claim form and advice from the Benefit Enquiry Line, on 0800 882200, where the staff know their stuff.

Q My State Pension is £149.86, including the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). My wife has State Pension of £47.86 and our joint savings are £50,000. Could we get Pension Credit?

A Provided your DLA is for care (£58.80 a week) and your wife claims underlying entitlement to CA, you could get £4 a week.

Q We are a couple in our 70s with a total pension income of £204 and £15,000 savings. Our son lives with us and we pay £862 a year council tax. Can we get a reduction?

A Yes, but what you get would depend upon your son's gross income. So it could be anything from 5p to £5 a week.

Q I am 79 with a State Pension of £88.24, Pension Credit of £11.47 and monthly works pension £117.62. My council tax is £117.62. Is this right?

A It seems a bit high to me. About £60 would be more like it, so query it with the council.