Housing benefit is based on your income, not necessarily what type of property you live in. If you have a mortgage and are on low income, then you can still get housing benefit.
Pasta, I have the same problem as you in a way. I worked in Germany for 17 years, but can't get my pension out there at the moment, as I have not reached the German pension age. If I take it out now, I will receive quite a bit less than if I wait until I am 65. I spent half of my life in Germany and France and am now 62. Because of this, I only get £49 state pension per week! So, when people read that state pension is £130, this is not quite how things work out for a lot of people. Thankfully ratter is quite a bit younger than me and has a regular income, but being in the care industry, it is not great. I care for my darling 95 year old mother, who is no longer mobile and has dementia. I get £12.85 per week for looking after her 24/7, which to be honest, I think is a disgrace!
In winter we keep the heating off in most of the house, except for Mum's room, as that has to be kept warm at all times. We also occasionally put it on in the Office/Den for a few minutes, as that is where ratter and I spend a lot of our time. But, winters are difficult to say the least!! Our only luxuries are our Irish Wolfhounds and they are what keeps us happy! This is very much a household fuelled by love!! I have not been on holiday since 1978! But some day maybe ... who knows! :o)