Q Our joint State Pensions are £133.50 a week and we have £21.33 a week pension Credit. Our savings are £19,801. Are we entitled to any rebate on our £1,121.97-a-year council tax?

A Your Pension Credit includes the guarantee credit element, which means you should not be paying any council tax at all.

Q I am a widow of 65 with a State Pension of £93.15 a week and a works pension of £3.26 a week. My savings are £3,000. I pay no council tax, but am I due Pension Credit?

A Yes. £21.65 a week.

Q I am a woman with a State Pension of £130.91 a week paying £20 a month council tax. Am I entitled to any more benefits?

A It depends upon your age. If you are not yet 65, what you are receiving is about right. If you have reached 65, you are due Pension Credit of about £7.68 a week and should be paying reduced council tax of about £134 a year.

Q My 88-year-old mother has a State Pension of £144 a week, including full Attendance Allowance and a private pension of £260 a month. How much in savings can she have before she has too much to get any Pension Credit?

A In her circumstances, £32,500.

Q I am a widow of 81 being looked after by carers. I receive Attendance Allowance (AA). If I gave up my carers and my friend took over from them, would I lose it?

A No. You get AA for as long as you need care, regardless of who provides it.

Q I am 80 with a State Pension of £149 a week, £134 a month private pension and £4,000 savings. Can I get any help with my council tax of £74 a month?

A Yes. Council Tax Benefit of £3.46 a week.

Q I am nearly 60 and have just heard that I will get a 78 per cent State Pension based upon my National Insurance. Is a wife's pension not based upon her husband's contributions?

A It can be, but it will only be 60 per cent and not payable until man and wife both reach pension age.