Q I have been receiving Incapacity Benefit for the past ten years. This is now £152.90 a fortnight and I also have a works pension of £626.38 a month. My wife is 55 and has not worked since she was 37. Is there anything I can claim for her?

A People who went sick after April 13, 1995, can only get an increase for a wife if she is over 60, or if she has dependent children. This seems to rule you out. Your income is above the level where you could qualify for low-income benefits like Income Support or Council Tax Benefit.

Q I am 67 and have been claiming my State Pension since I was 60, even though I have carried on working. When I stop working in September my only income will be State Pension of £98.25, a private pension of £40 a month and a one-off yearly payment of £136. My savings are £5,000 and my Council Tax is £700 a year. Will I be entitled to any additional benefits?

A Yes. Pension Credit of about £19.47 a week and a full Council Tax rebate.

Q Do all pensioners receive the £8.50 Cold Weather Payment?

A No. Only those on Pension Credit who live in an area where there has been a recent cold snap. These should not be confused with Winter Fuel Payments that go to all aged 60 plus.

Q My granddaughter finishes university this summer and will be sharing a flat with her boyfriend. Can she claim anything from then until she gets a job?

AShe will have to register at Jobcentre Plus. Any Jobseeker's Allowance she can get will probably be income-based, as it is unlikely that she would have been paying employed person's National Insurance during her studies. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will take account of her income and her boyfriend's and he must register too if he is unemployed.

Q My 19-year-old granddaughter earns £85 a week as an apprentice hairdresser. Can she claim anything to enhance this?

A I am afraid not. Working Tax Credit, which tops up low wages, is only available to single people without children once they reach 25.