Q When I get my retirement pension at 65 my wife will be 57. She has Severe Disablement Allowance. Can I claim extra for her on the pension or will it be affected by savings?

A Not by savings, but by the Severe Disablement Allowance. This will be deducted from the extra pension of £45.20 a week, leaving nothing or next to nothing.

Q I am single and 49. Soon my work hours will be cut to 15 a week, leaving me with take- home pay of about £112 a week. Could I get help with my rent and/or council tax?

A If your basic rent is more than £37.73 a week, you could get Housing Benefit. You could get your council tax cut if you have to pay more than £603 a year.

Q Our state pensions are £124.97 a week, plus my war pension of £36.54 a week, and private pension of £127.19 monthly. Can we get a rebate on our council tax of £622.98 a year? Our savings are £8,000.

A It depends how much of your war pension your council ignores. If they ignore the minimum of £10, you get a weekly rebate of £4.19. If they ignore the lot it will be £9.48.

Q I am 56, receiving Incapacity Benefit of £70.95 a week, Mobility Component and a monthly works pension of £202.83. My wife, aged 49, earns £45 a month and we have savings of £14,000. Can we get help with our council tax of £79

a month?

A Yes. Council tax benefit of £6.36 a week.

Q I am 60 now. Do I need to claim my winter fuel payment or will I get it automatically?

A The Department for Work and Pensions may invite a claim from you but, to be on the safe side, you may wish to ring their special help line on 08459 151515. Remember, you only get a payment if you or your spouse have reached 60 by the week commencing September 16, 2002.