Q I am a woman, shortly due to retire at the age of 65. I had not realised that I could have got my retirement pension from 60. Now I am told it can only be backdated three months, meaning I have lost four and a half years pension. This is not fair. Why did they not enquire why I was not claiming my pension?

A I know it seems hard, but in law the onus for claiming lies with you. The Pensions Service try to contact those approaching pension age but not always successfully. Where they do not, they cannot be held responsible for late claimants who miss out.

Q We are both under 60, each getting Incapacity Benefit. Fortnightly, this means £156.80 for me and £141.90 for him. He also receives top rate Disability Living Allowance for both care and mobility. Our rent is £189 a month. What help can we get?

A At present, considerable help with rent and council tax. However, if you claim Invalid Care Allowance you can get even more. Income Support with a carer premium would be about £10 a week plus full rent and council tax rebates, making you about £60 a week better off than you are now.

Q We claim a rebate on our council tax. My wife has received a cheque for £1,500 from her late aunt's solicitor. If we use this to pay off some of the mortgage will it affect our rebate?

A The council will only treat the money as part of your capital if they think you have spent it in order to boost your benefit. This was clearly not your motive, so you should be OK.

Q A stroke five years ago left me with a weak left side. I have been getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility. Now that I am 65 would I get Attendance Allowance (AA)?

A It depends upon how much care you need but it is worth a try. You will keep your DLA for mobility but why did you not claim DLA for care as well? This must be claimed before you reach 65 and the rules for getting it are less stringent than for AA.