Q Our joint State Pensions are £142.09 a week and my weekly works pension is £33.20. My wife has a monthly private annuity of £72.65 and my Disability Living Allowance is £15.15 a week. Can we get any help with our rent to a private landlord of £400 a month and council tax of £90 a month?

A Lots. Firstly, there is Pension Credit of £4.73 a week, which you can claim by ringing 0800 99 1234. Then there is Council Tax Benefit of £13 a week, which you can claim from your local council and you can also claim Housing Benefit from the same place. This could be as much as £78 a week if your rent is not thought to be excessive.

Q I am 65 with a weekly State Pension of £92.31, private pension of £8.45 and once-yearly pension of £136. My savings are £5,000. Do I qualify for any help other than the 25 per cent reduction on my council tax for single occupancy?

A Certainly - you too should be getting Pension Credit, which for you would be £14 a week and a council tax rebate that will leave you with just coppers to pay.

Q Can I claim Carer's Allowance (CA) for looking after my mother who has just moved in with us and gets Attendance Allowance? I have a reduced State Pension and my husband has Incapacity Benefit.

A It is worth trying. You may not get it, because your State Pension and your share of your husband's Incapacity Benefit are too high. What you will get though is called underlying entitlement to CA. This will entitle you to more generous treatment when claiming council tax and housing/council tax benefits.

Q I qualify for a State Pension in June when I am 60. If I keep on with my part-time job, will it affect my pension? Will I have to pay National Insurance?

A It is not necessary to retire to get a retirement pension because earnings do not affect it. You do not pay National Insurance after pension age either.

Q I am on sick benefit of £174 which includes high rate mobility DLA. My wife has works pension of £18 and State Pension of £21 a week. Our savings are £5,600 and council tax is £780.

A You should be claiming Council Tax Benefit of £11.55 a week.