Q I took out a mortgage to buy my council house while I was on Income Support. I had been paying the rent in full because my two sons had been living with me. I have never been allowed any benefit for the mortgage interest, not even now my sons have left. Why?

A Because mortgage interest help in these circumstances is restricted to the amount of rent benefit you were getting previously. If that benefit was nil, your mortgage help will be nil. It remains nil despite changes in circumstances.

Q We are both 55. My husband has Incapacity Benefit of £70.95 a week and I have a personal pension of £347.63 a month. Our savings are £3,000. Are we entitled to any reduction on our council tax of £709?

A Yes. £6.67 a week.

Q We want to buy our council house but, as we cannot afford to, our sons want to buy it in our names. If we sign it over to them in the future, would it still be treated as our capital should we one day enter a care home?

A Only if Social Services think your reason for signing it over was to qualify for benefit you would not otherwise have been due. This would not be your motive. As I see it, you would simply be repaying a favour. It is Social Services' decision, however, so do not take my word as gospel.

Q I am 67 and my partner has just been left a property that has sold for £68,714. How will this affect our Income Support, Housing and council tax benefits?

A You will lose all three. The capital limit for those who are 60-plus is £12,000 for Income Support and £16,000 for council tax/housing benefits.

Q I live with my wife only and have Income Support to top up my Incapacity Benefit and works pension. What rebate am I due on my council tax?

A Something is not right here! If you are on Income Support and only your wife lives with you, no council tax is payable. Contact the council urgently.