Q My State pension is £82.96 a week and my wife's is £46.35 and I get maximum Disability Living Allowance of £97.15 a week because of multiple sclerosis. I have never been able to get Income Support because my capital of £35,000 is too great. Will I get Pension Credit?

A Yes. £6.41 a week, but if your wife can claim underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, this would go up to £16.64.

Q At 68 I have never claimed anything in my life and my only income is retirement pension, including Serps, of £153.25 a week. My council tax is £580 a year and my rent £51.13 a week. Can I claim anything?

A Yes you have been paying about £11 a week too much in rent and council tax.

Q Lots of people can expect to do very nicely out of Pension Credit, it seems, so how come I will only get an extra 77p a week? I have Income Support, bringing my pension up to £102.10 a week.

A Pension Credit for those already on Income Support will not be much if they have little income or savings of their own in addition to the basic State Pension. To get as little as 77p, your personal income must only be about £1.28 a week above it.

Q Can we get a rebate on our council tax of £88 a month? We have total State Pensions of £159.07 a week and private pensions of £123.06 a month as well as £8,000 in the building society.

A Yes, you are due £9 a week and £5 a week Pension Credit from October.

Q My State Pension is £84.74 a week, my BSC pension is £83.84 a month and my savings are under £6,000. I am 79 and wonder if I will get Pension Credit in October?

A Yes. £14 a week.

Q I am 79 with a weekly State Pension of £81.46 and a monthly occupational pension of £57.66 plus savings of £2,900. I get Council Tax Rebate, but what Pension Credit might I expect in October?

A Never mind October - you are due Income Support of £7.38 a week now, and an extra £10.36 come October.