Housing benefit is calculated by local authorities and does reflect real rents albeit on the low side. My council only pays my full rent because I live in a dump. You choose not to do so and I respect your decision but I cannot risk losing the roof over my head if my PIP were ever to be taken from me. Having already been through one tribunal it’s a very real risk that a lot of us face. It would be bad enough losing my car therefore I cannot risk topping up my rent with my PIP.
Being a skirt, single person I have to be careful and prioritise things. I have to make sacrifices like you do. Given the choice I would rather have a nice home and nice neighbours than a car but ultimately I must make sure that I have some sort of roof over my head.