Q Once more, due to the mismanagement of our council, we find our council tax has gone up yet again, making it nearly £900 a year.

Our State Pensions prior to April added up to £183.89 a week and I also have works pension of £39.66 a year and £104.75 a quarter. Additionally, I have Disability Living Allowance and savings of £8,000. Should we have been getting Council Tax rebate?

A Yes. You should be getting about £7.70 a week.

Q Our pension income pre-April was £151.20 in total. We receive sizeable rebates on our rent and council tax. Will we get Pension Credit in October and how would this affect our rebates?

A You will be due Pension Credit of about £20 a week which will not affect your rebates.

Q If my husband gives up work to become my full time carer what benefits can he get? I have Incapacity Benefit of £85.85 a week and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

A To be treated as your carer for benefit purposes, he must qualify for Carer's Allowance. This means your DLA must include the care component paid at the high or middle rate. This would give him benefit of £56 a week plus rent and council tax rebates. If he cannot get ICA, you could claim Income Support, but this would only be about £31 a week.

Q I have been on Incapacity Benefit for many years. Now my wife is 60. Her income includes a works pension of £385 a month. Can I get anything?

A No. You can claim an increase for a wife after she is 60 if her earnings or works pension are under £54.65 a week.

Q My husband has Disability Living Allowance, Retirement Pension of £85.69 a week and a works pension of £131.36 a month. My pension is £45.28 a week and our savings are £13,000. Can we get a reduction on our rent of £189.80 and council tax of £83 a month?

A Yes. You are paying around £100 a month more than you need.