Q I thought that if your savings were below a certain level, you did not have to pay care home fees. Is it right, therefore, that my mother, with savings of £23,000, should have to pay £96.43 a week out of her pensions towards hers?

A If the resident's capital is more than £19,500 (in England), they must pay the full cost. If it is less, they will still have to pay something out of their income, leaving them with at least £17.50 a week.

Q My 96-year-old mother has been in a care home for three years and has always received a Winter Fuel Payment. This year, she has been told that she cannot because she is on pension Credit (previously Income Support). Is this correct?

A I am afraid so and, as this has always been the case for care home residents, I do not see how she could have been paid in previous years.

Q According to my pension forecast, I have 14 years of full National Insurance contributions and have been awarded 16 years of Home Responsibilities Protection, giving me a 61 per cent pension. I am paying voluntary contributions to boost this, but is there any point if I would earn a pension on my husband's National Insurance anyway?

A In your case, yes. The most you can get from your husband's contributions is a 60 per cent pension. The pension you will earn from your own past and future contributions will be more than this.

Q My State Pension is £133.58 a week and my wife's is £69.51. I also have an annual annuity of £366 and my wife has a monthly works pension of £14.25. Our savings are £12,500. Can we get Pension Credit or Council Tax Benefit?

A No Pension Credit, but if you are paying more than £535 Council Tax a year, you are paying too much.

Q I am a 77-year-old pensioner with no savings and a weekly income from benefits and pensions, including disability payments, of £193. Can I get Pension Credit?

A If your weekly income, less Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, comes to less than, £139 the answer is yes.