Q If my mother has to move into a care home, how much money could she gift to her family from the sale of her former home?

A I would never advise anyone in that situation to make any such gifts. If the benefit authorities think somebody has given money away in order to qualify for benefit, they can treat them as still having it.

Q My four-weekly State pension is £536.16 and my wife's is £196.60. I also have works' pensions of £23.36 and £38.80 a month. We have ISAs of £3,000 and £8,000. Can we get Pension Credit or a reduction in our Council Tax of £860 a year?

A Yes. Pension Credit of £5.34 and Council Tax Benefit of £11.69 a week.

Q I was told that when you are 80 you receive a higher State Pension. Is this correct? I was 80 in July and have not had a rise.

A The basic State Pension rises by the princely sum of 25p a week when you reach 80 (it has been 25p since it was brought in more than 30 years ago). However, it will be deducted from any Pension Credit you are receiving, so you may not notice it.

Q Our weekly State Pensions are £84.74 and £90.40. I have an annuity of £51.84 a week and our joint savings are £10,000. Should we be paying £966.34 a year council tax?

A No. You are paying about £9.30 too much, so claim Council Tax Benefit from your council.

Q All I have coming in is Incapacity Benefit of £68.20 a week. Out of this, I have to pay £7.80 a week towards my rent and £2.30 a week for council tax. Is this right?

A If you are aged between 25 and 59, yes. You should get a bit more help when you have been on the sick for a year, even though your Incapacity Benefit will then go up to £76.45 a week.

* I recently gave an incorrect telephone number for the Pension Tracing Service, which tracks down old occupational pensions. The correct number is 0845 600 2537.