Q My state pension is £76.30 a week, my works pension is £23 a week and I have £14,000 in the building society. Can I get help with my council tax of £590 a year now and pensioner credit in October?

A Yes and Yes. £4.73 a week council tax benefit now plus about £8 a week pensioner credit in October.

Q I will be 61 in April but receive no pension. My husband will be 60 in December. Should we have received a winter fuel payment?

A You should get the full £200 but your husband is too young. As you have no pension you will not get it automatically. You must claim before March 31, so ring 08459 151515 for the claim form.

Q Please settle an argument that broke out in our ex-servicemen's club. Will a man whose wife has died lose any war pension or mobility payments if he re-marries or takes a common law wife?

A No. Feel free!

Q Why do some women, like me, get no pension at 60 and have to wait until their husbands are 65?

A Because they will not have paid enough National Insurance. You usually need ten years full contributions. Married women's contributions do not count.

Q My son, aged 30, has come to live with me, having lost his job through stress. All he has is Jobseeker's Allowance. Can I claim anything for the extra he costs me while he is here?

A Ask the council about a second adult rebate on your council tax. Regardless of your income, you could get a reduction because your son cannot pay a proper contribution.

Q I am a divorced man of 58 and my only income is a works pension of £99 a week. My mortgage is paid but I pay £70 a month council tax. Do I qualify for any benefits?

A You are due council tax benefit of about £4.46 a week.