Q I am 59 and my wife is 63. My wages are about £145 a week, my wife's are £27 and her State pension is only 90p. Our rent is £54.38 a week and council tax is £78 a month. If I stopped work through poor health, could I get Incapacity Benefit?

A Perhaps, but as your wife is over 60 she could claim Minimum Income Guarantee, now called Pension Credit, for you both. This would be £138 a week with no rent or council tax to pay, making you about £60 week better off than now.

Q My 67-year-old sister pays full council tax of £770 a year out of her State Pension of £270 a month and works pension of £30 a month. Her savings are £3,000. What benefits may she claim?

A She should be claiming Pension Credit of £27.70 a week and full Council Tax Benefit.

Q I am a 68-year-old widow, living alone, with a State Pension of £80.05 a week and savings of £6,100. I pay full rent of £197.72 and council tax of £65 a month. Can I apply for any help?

A You should have been getting the old Minimum Income Guarantee at £16 a week and now you are due an extra £4.56 in Pension Credit. With a full rent and council tax rebate as well, you will get an extra £70 odd a week.

Q Our State Pensions are £112.42 and £58.55 a week respectively. I am in receipt of Attendance Allowance and my wife has DLA for mobility. Are we entitled to any Pension Credit?

A Yes, £13.14 a week, but if your wife is able to claim underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance for looking after you, this would go up to £29.20. You would get full Council Tax Benefit as well.

Q I am a widow of 63 with a State Pension of £77.97, DLA for care of £15.15 and £19,000 in Income Bonds. My rent is £42.35 and my council tax £54 a month. Would I be entitled to claim anything?

A You have to be 65 to get the best out of the new Pension Credit. However, if you reduce your savings by reasonable spending to £18,000, there will be no more rent or council tax to pay.