Q Between us, all we have are our state pensions of £171 a week and savings of £3,000. Can we get a rebate on our council tax of £745 a year?

A The Government has just announced that between 1.28 million and 1.86 million people do not claim the council tax benefit they are entitled to. You are one of them. You are due a rebate of £8.25 a week.

Q My wife's retirement pension is £43.65 a week and mine is £85.04. I have a works pension of £38 a month and our savings are £15,000. We both have Attendance Allowance. Can we get a reduction on our rent of £49.70 a week and council tax of £73 a month?

A If no one gets invalid care allowance for looking after you, you should not be paying council tax or rent for accommodation. Even if there is, you are still due rebates that will reduce your council tax to £34 a month and your basic rent to about £21.37 a week.

Q I was turned down for Attendance Allowance (AA) because I was too old at 80. Can I claim anything else?

A This cannot be the reason you were refused. AA has no upper age limit. Refusal is usually because the person needs less help than the rules stipulate. You may claim again, but, if you do, get help from an organisation like the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Q I was refused contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance because I had not paid enough National Insurance during tax year 1999-2000. I paid high levels of contributions during many previous years. Can they not have regard to one of these?

A No, the relevant tax years are fixed by law.

Q Our state pensions are £120.28 and £47.73 weekly, plus a monthly private pension of £86.89. Can we get help with our council tax of £730 a year and gross rent of £177.28 a month?

A You could get council tax benefit of £4.55 a week, but you must pay rent in full if it is less than £133.62 a month after deducting water charges etc.