Q My husband needs a lot of looking after because of problems with his heart and lungs. I am on Retirement pension of £67.50. If he succeeds in getting Attendance Allowance can I get a care allowance?

A No. Invalid Care Allowance is £4.40 but it can be cancelled out by other higher benefits, in your case Retirement Pension.

QWhen I get to 60 will I get State Pension or must I wait until my husband is 65?

A It depends upon your National Insurance record. Fill in form BR19 from the DSS to see if you have paid enough to qualify when you are 60. If you do not you will have to rely on his contributions when he reaches 65.

QI have just turned 60 and have Incapacity Benefit of £67.50 and a company pension of £143 a month plus £7,000 savings. My wife is 57 with no income. Can I get help with my council tax?

ANot only are you due a full rebate but Income Support of £15 a week.

Q When I get my Retirement Pension shortly, there will be £40.40 a week due to my wife aged 56. Is this her pension or mine?

A It will be paid as part of your pension. When she reaches pension age at 60 it will be hers.

Q My husband (61) is unemployed and can now get no benefit as he has private pensions of £542 a month. I have a State Pension of £22 a week. We pay council tax of £900 a year as well as our mortgage. We need help, is any due?

AYes. A council tax rebate of £12.38 a week should help matters.

Q My partner and I have now moved in together with our baby. I get Income Support and he has wages of £156 a week. Can we get more help?

A I think you are getting the wrong benefit. You lose Income Support if your partner works 24 hours a week or more. Instead you need to claim Working Families Tax Credit. Ring 0845 609 5000 for more details.