QSince I had central heating put in I receive cash instead of concessionary coal. This averages out at £3.42 a week. What difference should it be making to my weekly rent and council tax benefits?

AYour rent should have increased by £2.22 (65 per cent of the increase) and your council tax by £0.68 (20 per cent of the increase).

QAs my state pension is £80.20, which is less than the Minimum Income Guarantee of £92.15, am I missing out? My pension from my late husband's employer is £71.18 a month.

AIt is not just your state pension that determines whether you get Minimum Income Guarantee. With an average weekly income of £96.57 you are above the £92.15 level.

QI am a widow of 69 with a state pension of £122.29 weekly, a monthly works pension of £90.16 and Disability Living Allowance of £213.20 every four weeks. Can I get a council tax rebate?

AIf your council tax is more than £530 a year, yes.

QWhen my husband qualifies for his retirement pension I will be only 54. Can he claim extra for me while I continue my part-time job?

AOnly if your earn under £53.05 a week. If so, he can claim an extra £43.40.

QI pay rent of £47.81 weekly and council tax of £42 monthly. My weekly state pension is £112.72 and my company pension £101.56 a month. My savings are £6,000. Can I get rebates?

ANot on your council tax, but housing benefit will reduce your rent, exclusive of water charges etc, to about £28.55.

QMy husband and I have only our state pensions of £169.96 a week, our savings of £3,000 plus a few shares. Should we be paying our full council tax of £618.52 a year?

ANo. You are due a rebate of about £6 a week.

QI get the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the lowest rate. Can my daughter get benefit for looking after me?

ANo. Invalid Care Allowance is payable to those who care for someone who gets either the middle or higher rate DLA care component.