QOur combined weekly state pensions are £130.25 and I have a monthly works pension of £43.64. We have £6,000 saved and my wife gets full Attendance Allowance. What help can we get?

AIncome Support of just £0.27 a week but this gives you a maximum rebate on your rent and council tax and automatic help with the cost of teeth and glasses.

Q At 53 I have a works pension of £541.37 gross per month following redundancy. My wife has variable earnings as a care worker. What sort of income would we have to have to get a rebate on our council tax of £96 a month?

ALess than £185 a week on average.

QI retire next month with joint pensions from works and State of £176.96 a week. Our rent is £103.94 a fortnight and council tax £684 a year. What allowances can I get then?

ACouncil tax benefit of about £5.88 a week and housing benefit will reduce your basic rent to about £23.66.

QAt 65 I will lose my Reduced Earnings Allowance. This will leave us with an income from pensions of about £150 a week in addition to my Disability Living Allowance at full rate for care and mobility. Should my wife claim Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) for looking after me?

AShe must be under 65 to get ICA. ICA would be deducted from her retirement pension but it is still worth claiming. It would lead to more generous treatment for Income Support and council tax benefit.

QI was 60 on September 8 but people say I will not get a £200 winter fuel payment as I have no pension. Is this true?

A Not true. To qualify you must be 60 or over during week commencing September 17, 2001. There are no other conditions but as you have no pension you will have to claim your winter fuel payment. Get a claim form by ringing 08459 151515.

QI am approaching 60. Is it true that I will not get a state pension until my husband is 65?

ANot necessarily. If you have paid enough National Insurance you could get one regardless of your husband's situation. Ask the Social Security office to check.