Q I get Income Support with full rent and Council Tax Rebates and live with my grandson aged l6. He has just moved from youth training to a job earning £100 a week. What effect will this have upon my benefits?

A None until he is 18.

Q From April my husband and I will have a weekly income from state and works pensions of £163.37 and savings of £13,500. Our Council Tax is £91 a month at the moment. Will we have to pay the same under the new savings rules?

A After a rebate your Council Tax from April will be reduced to £550 a year.

Q After 25 years teaching I am thinking of handing my notice in at the end of term. Would I get benefit?

A If you give up work "without good cause" you may be "sanctioned." This means any benefit you get will be means-tested and, for the first six months, only payable if you can prove you suffer hardship.

Q If I become unemployed how can I safeguard my rights to a Retirement pension?

A The JobCentre will cover your record with "credits" but not for periods of "sanction." Otherwise you could pay voluntarily (currently £6.55 a week). You only need work for part of a tax year to have paid enough contributions. Currently National Insurance paid on earnings of £3484 during the year will suffice.

QLast year I returned to the UK after 20 years in Australia. Will this be taken into account for my Retirement Pension?

A We have an agreement with Australia which recognises your work over there. For more details contact the Benefits Agency's Overseas Directorate at Benton, Newcastle NE98 18A

Q I have heard that my wife would have done better if she had claimed a Retirement Pension on my contributions rather than hers. Is this so?

A No. She is automatically paid the higher of the two. No woman could lose out by taking the wrong option.

QDo you have to get a particular benefit in order to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment?

A Not any more. You just have to be 60 or over.