On a hot summer day, heating your home is the last thing on your mind. But this winter, you may shiver in your boots when you get your bill. One local agency is helping people deal with rising gas prices.

Real Services helped 10,000 families last year in five counties, including right here in St. Joseph County. But with the cost of food and gas on the rise, the need for help may be on the rise as well.

"Especially with the high cost of gas, which follows over into everything you do — food and etc.,” said Tonjohnique Copphe, who participates in the Real Services Energy Assistance Program (EAP). The program helps people pay their gas and electric bills.

They cover Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.

They say there may be some relief.

"Families don't have to have a disconnect notice to get the assistance,” said Ingrid Simmons with Real Services. “For EAP families they just have to meet the income guidelines."

Copphe says thanks to Real Services, she can focus on her family.

“It helped me just by being able to stretch my finances a little further, to be able to take care of some things that I needed to do, and at the same time provide heating and cooling to my family,” Copphe explained.

NIPSCO says hurricane season can affect prices.

They say this year, it's too early to tell what natural gas prices will be, mainly because of supply and demand, but there are options.

"The budget program through NIPSCO is not a bad idea because the payments are spaced out evenly throughout the year,” said Simmons.

Later this month, applications will be sent out to those who already receive assistance. For new families the program starts October 6; but you can call Real Services now to set up an appointment or to get on their mailing list.

To find out if you qualify for heating assistance, click on the link in the Related Content box to contact Real Services.