Your Rights; Sue Bent of the Coventry Law Centre answers questions on housing, health and community care, human rights, discrimination, welfare rights, employment and immigration issues. The centre employs solicitors and experienced paralegals and can represent clients in both court and in tribunal.

Byline: SUE BENT from Coventry Law Centre answers your legal questions

Q I am a new widow and I own my own home outright.

I receive disability benefit, attendance allowance and pension credit.

I have a son who is also disabled and receives disability benefit and attendance allowance.

He is single and has his own house.

My son's house needs to be adapted, but it is not suitable for the adaptations needed.

I am also becoming less mobile, and my son has suggested that we sell both houses and buy one together which could be adapted to suit both our needs.

Would either of us lose benefits if we did this?

Also, if I die before we can do this, would my son, who has Enduring Power of Attorney, be able to sell both houses and buy one that is more suitable for adaptation and would he lose benefits?

A The question is very detailed, therefore, it would be difficult to advise fully on a problem such as this.

You and your son could seek advice from a local advice centre or Coventry Benefit Advice Line on 024 7683 2000.

You should consider going to separate advice centres as there is a small possibility there could be a conflict of interests which would lead to one of you losing benefits.

Some benefits are non means tested, such as disability living allowance, attendance allowance and incapacity benefit.

However, benefits like income support and pension credit are means-tested and could well be affected by a sale of a property.

There are many other benefits to be taken into account.

Q I have a clean driving licence and recently hired a car.

I had to give a higher deposit after completing a box on the hire form stating that I had previously been prescribed medication for depression.

Is this right?

A Most people suffering from depression would be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.

This contains special rules relating to insurance, guarantees and deposits.

These rules are complex, but cannot be used to justify a service provider charging a disabled person a higher deposit than a non-disabled person.

If you are not sure whether your situation is covered, you should seek advice.

The Law Centre runs a discrimination helpline.

Q My son, who is on a low wage, wants to stay with me for about six weeks while repair work is being done at his tenancy.

I am in receipt of income support and my rent is paid in full by housing benefit.

I have been told by a friend that if my son stays with me the amount of housing benefit I receive will be reduced and I will have to therefore pay something towards my rent. Is this correct?

A As your son is only staying with you temporarily and his main home is elsewhere, there should be no reduction in your housing benefit entitlement.