Have Your Say: Improving access to benefits and home energy support in Powys

A man and a woman looking at a laptop together

Despite high levels of eligibility, Powys currently has one of the lowest take-up rates in Wales for both benefits and home energy efficiency support.

We want to understand why many people in Powys are not claiming the benefits and home energy efficiency support they are entitled to, and to identify practical ways to improve access, awareness, and coordination of services across the county.

We are inviting charities, third-sector organisations, and professionals working in Powys to share their insights through a short survey. Your frontline experience is vital to understanding what works well and where improvements are needed.

This research will help strengthen existing services and ensure individuals and families can access the help available to them, focusing on:

Common challenges people face when applying for benefits or energy efficiency schemes
Gaps, pressures, or barriers experienced by organisations providing advice and support
Awareness, accessibility, and referral pathways across Powys
Opportunities to improve communication, coordination, and partnership working

How the findings will be used

The results will inform:

Future service development
Partnership working
Local decision-making

All with the aim of increasing take-up of benefits and energy efficiency schemes and improving outcomes for residents across Powys.

Take part

We encourage organisations to complete the survey and share it within your teams and networks. Your participation will help shape future benefit, support, and energy efficiency initiatives across the county.

Complete the survey:
https://www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/manteisions-ac-arolwg-effeithlonrwydd-ynni-cartref-i-r-mwyaf-benefits-home-energy-efficiency-maximisation-survey

Survey closes: Thursday, 12 February 2026

Questions or further information:
Please contact PAVO at andrew.davies@pavo.org.uk

Research commissioned by the Powys Regional Partnership Board (RPB) Regional Innovation Coordination (RIC) Hub.