TO HEAT OR NOT TO HEAT? ON (IN)PERCEPTIBLE ENERGY POVERTY AMONG THE POOR

This research investigates energy poverty among social assistance beneficiaries in the Masovian Voivodeship, focusing on both objective and subjective dimensions. Energy poverty, characterized by the inability to afford adequate energy services, is examined through the Low Income High Cost (LIHC) measure and respondents’ subjective experiences. The study, based on a 2023 survey of 625 individuals, compares the Warsaw Capital Region and the Masovian Regional Region within the voivodeship. Results reveal that a significant proportion of beneficiaries face challenges in meeting energy needs, with 75% exceeding the 10% LIHC threshold. Strategies for coping include relying on social assistance, limiting current needs, seeking help from relatives, and dressing appropriately for indoor temperatures. The research covers energy poverty with economic, social, and health factors, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and financial support mechanisms. Findings also highlight the impact of energy prices, varied energy consumption patterns, and subjective perceptions of energy poverty. The study contributes valuable insights into the complex phenomenon of energy poverty among social assistance recipients in the region.