Q My husband is not old enough to claim his state pension and mine is only £1.84 a month. He has a company pension of £570.16 a month and our daughter, who earns £566 a month net, still lives at home. Can we get help with the council tax?

A You should claim Income Support. This will be about £18 a week. The only council tax you would then have to pay would be the £4.60 a week contribution in respect of your daughter.

Q I am a retired widow aged 64 with a monthly state pension of £333.32 and a private pension of £60.17 monthly. I am due any more money from the state and do savings make a difference?

A They could make all the difference in your case. If you have less than £7,750 you will get Income Support and a full council tax rebate. You will still get some council tax reduction if they are below £16,000.

Q I am unemployed, aged 59 with no income and no longer receiving any benefits. My wife works full time and has a monthly pension of £400. Is there anything I can claim, such as help with my £800 a year council tax.

A Even though you have no income, your wife's money is taken into account when working out means tested benefits. If her income is under £171 a week (or £236 if she is 60 or over) you could get a council tax reduction.

Q My husband took early retirement and now works part time, earning just under £600 a month. He may now have to stop because he has prostate cancer. Is there anything he can claim? Monthly our income comprises his works pension of £144, mine of £360 and my £416 wages.

A He has been earning enough to pay National Insurance, so he should qualify for Incapacity Benefit at the starting rate of £53.50 a week. His works pension is not high enough to affect it. Your joint income, however, will exclude you from means tested benefits.