I'm sorry, but I'm with tunnie here, just don't ever tell him that I agree with him.
The benefits system is a (unsustainable) method to provide people with a fallback in their hour of need. Or at least should be. It has become, over the past decade or 2, a gravy train for many. It should not provide more than is absolutely necessary.
Its absolutely right that those in social housing should be encouraged in to more appropriate, cost effective housing, freeing up the larger houses for those that need it. Or if they don't want to downsize, they have to pay for the luxury.
I'm sure in tunnie's mind, he works very hard pressing buttons for 60hrs a week to be able to pay for his 1 bedroom flat in shitsville. So I can fully see why he thinks its wrong that he cannot have friends or family to stay, yet those in social housing can.
No offence intended to anyone here.
Back to OP, the woman clearly must have had further issues, if the thought of downsizing was enough to make her want to end it all.