Q My granddaughter, aged 18, has been working as a trainee on £40 a week but has been too ill to work for the past seven weeks. She gets no money from either her employer or the State. Is she entitled to anything?

A She should claim Income Support from Jobcentre Plus, backed up by a doctor's certificate. She should get £44.50 a week.

Q I am 77 and have lived alone since my husband died 13 years ago. I live on a State pension of £102 a week and savings of about £5,000. Can I get any help with my Council Tax?

A Not only should you not be paying any Council Tax at all, but you are entitled to Pension Credit of £19.42 a week.

Q My wife and I have joint savings of £23,000. I have a works pension of £519.22 a month and State Pension of £102.12 a week. My wife is not of pension age and does not work. Can we get any help with our Council Tax?

A People with savings over £16,000 must pay their Council Tax in full unless they receive Guarantee Pension Credit. Your income is too high for this. However, are you sure you are getting the right State Pension? £102.12 seems very low for a married couple. As your wife is not yet 60 you could claim £49.15 a week for her if she has no earnings or personal pension above £56.20 a week.

Q I have been divorced for a number of years and have retired with a State Pension of £82 a week. I have a partner but have not remarried. Do I qualify for more pension, bearing in mind that my ex-husband is still working full-time and unmarried?

A If you had not paid enough National Insurance for a standard rate State Pension of £82.05 a week, you could be allowed a pension taking account of your ex-husband's contributions. This can bring a divorced woman's pension up to the standard rate, but no more.