Q I am 78 with a Retirement pension of £71.59 a week and my late husband's annuity of £33.15 a month. What help can I get with my rent of £46.29 a week and my Council Tax of £500 a year?

A According to the Governments rules, you do not have enough to live on. You should be getting income support of £1.65 a week which means you get maximum rebates on your rent and Council Tax.

Q My husband is 71 and in poor health. I am 55, but would like to give up work to spend some quality time with him. Could he get any extra benefit if I did? I have a pension from BT of £153 a month.

A He could get an extra £40.40 on his Retirement Pension for you if you give up work. Only if your occupational pension were over £52.50 a week would the increase not be payable.

Q Can I get a cut in my Council Tax of £56 a month? My State Pension is £92, my late husband's pension is £148 a month and I have no savings.

A You are due a rebate of at least £1.25 a week.

Q My wife and I are living on a pension of £133.78 a week plus her Attendance and Mobility Allowance. We have savings of £8,500. Our weekly rent and Council Tax over 47 weeks come to £67. Can we get a reduction?

A Most certainly. By my reckoning your basic rent and Council Tax should be reduced to around £24.

Q I am working and have a pension from my last job of £250 every four weeks. How will this affect my benefits if I have to register unemployed or sick?

A Because your pension is £62.50 a week, the excess over £50 (£12.50) will be deducted from contribution based Jobseekers Allowance. People claiming incapacity benefit after April will have their benefit reduced if their occupational pension is over £85 a week.

Q I was 60 on September 28 yet I cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. Why not?

A Because for this winter they only go to those who were 60 or more during week commencing September 18