Q For the past year, my daughter has been 'temping' for £70 to £100 a week. Now she is pregnant but, because she has worked through an agency, does not think she will be due any Statutory Maternity Pay from an employer. Can she claim any kind of maternity payment?

A She should claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus. She must have worked for at least 26 out of the last 66 weeks before the baby is due. Also, she must have earned an average of at least £30 a week for 13 of those weeks. Maternity Allowance is up to £106 a week, payable for 26 weeks.

Q I have seen my MP about claiming benefits and was told I am allowed £10,000 in savings. As I have more than this, would I be able to claim anything? I am single, aged 71 with a State Pension of £108.60 a week.

A Your MP has not got it quite right. There is no upper savings limit for Pension Credit. Whether your savings rule you out will depend upon what your income is as well. If your £108.60 is your sole income, you would be due some Pension Credit even with savings of up to £27,000. You would qualify for Council Tax Benefit as well, provided your savings were no more than £16,000.

Q Now I am 65, my weekly State Pension is £176 and my wife's is £62.11. Can we claim Pension Credit or a rebate on our Council Tax?

A No Pension Credit, I am afraid, but your Council Tax after the reduction of a rebate should be about £515 a year.

Q When I am 65 in May, my Incapacity Benefit of £130.20 a week for my wife and me will be replaced by State Pension. Someone has told me I will lose £40 a week. Is this right?

A Only if you have missed paying a lot of National Insurance. With a full record, you should be due £82.05 plus £49.15 for your wife, as well as any Additional Pension you may be due from the State.