Q I am a widow of 92, turned down for pension Credit (PC), but have since been awarded £58 a week for my care. Can I now claim anything else?

A What you have been awarded is Attendance Allowance, which is ignored when PC is worked out. If you live alone and no one gets Carer's Allowance for looking after you, the PC rules are more generous so claim again.

Q I do not think my husband and I could get Pension Credit (PC) but what about Savings Credit?

A Savings Credit is part of PC, which brings a person's weekly income up to £105.45 (£160.95 for couples). Savings Credit is the part of PC paid on top of this for people 65 plus who have provided for their retirement. Claim this if your weekly income is below £144 (£211 for couples).

Q Can we reduce our £1,004 Council Tax? Our State Pensions are £83.80 and £88.62, our works pensions £9.19 and £41.66 and private pensions £2.90 and £8.72, all weekly. I have £39.95 DLA for mobility. Our savings are £5,500.

A Yes, by claiming Council Tax Benefit, in your case £7.33 a week.

Q I am 61 and my wife is 58. I have Incapacity Benefit of £520.28 a month, a works pension of £85.52 a month and my wife earns £156 a month.

I get DLA for mobility and Low Rate for Care. Could we claim anything and what would happen if my wife stopped work?

A You could have your Council Tax reduced to about £200 a year. If your wife stops work you could get £6 a week Pension Credit and a full Council Tax rebate.

Q My husband is over 60 with Incapacity Benefit (IB) of £72.15 and Pension Credit of £53.06 a week. My wages are £32.59 a week and our savings under £10,000.

If I retire on a State Pension of £22.80 a week would I lose or gain?

A Your husband could claim extra IB for you but this, like your pension, will be deducted from PC. So if you keep working, your joint income will be unchanged. Stop working and you will be £10 a week worse off overall.