Q My husband has a State Pension of £113.10 a week and a works pension of £41.61 a week. My pension is £52.75.

We are both disabled, my husband receiving Attendance Allowance and I get Disability Living Allowance, including the Middle Rate for Care.

We get Pension Credit of £10.48 a week and some help with our £935 Council Tax.

My daughter claims Carer's Allowance for looking after me but, as we live alone, would we be better off if she stopped claiming and my husband and I each claimed for looking after each other?

A Well spotted! If you were both awarded underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, you would get extra Pension Credit because each of you is a carer and severely disabled.

That would boost your Pension Credit to £136.37 a week and you would have to pay no Council Tax.

Your daughter would lose Carer's Allowance but there would be about £80 a week extra benefit coming in overall.

Q Our combined State Pensions are £145.95 a week and my mineworkers' pension is £340 a month.

We both have High Rate Mobility Disability Living Allowance and I get the Middle Rate for Care. Can we claim any help with our £935 a year Council Tax?

A You are lagging way behind what you should be getting. Even as things stand, you should be getting Pension Credit of about £3.54 a week and Council Tax Benefit of £12 a week.

If your wife claims underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, however, your Pension Credit would be about £13.88 and Council Tax Benefit about £15.

Q I am 64 and taking early ill health retirement.

I have only a £42-a-week occupational pension, while my wife has State Pension of £92 a week and an occupational pension of £17 a week.

We have £12,000 savings. Can we get Pension Credit or help with our £90-a-month Council Tax?

A Yes. About £11 a week Pension Credit and a full Council Tax rebate.

But if you are too ill to work, you would be better off claiming Incapacity Benefit, starting rate £59.20 a week, and still get a Council Tax reduction.