A South Bend nonprofit clears up confusion about its energy assistance program

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A South Bend nonprofit is clearing up confusion about its energy assistance program, as more people see the need for utility assistance.

Real Services is a South Bend nonprofit that provides support to older adults and low-income families. Its services include meals and nutrition, transportation, and energy and housing assistance. 

A sign on the door of the energy assistance program recently led some people to believe funding had been cut,  but officials say the program is simply closed for the season.

“This is actually something that for as long as I've known the program and it’s been over 30 years it is a seasonal program because it is a heating assistance program so we help during the cold months to offset the heating cost that family experience in our communities,” said Ingrid Simmons, Energy Assistance Program Director.

During the summer months, Simmons recommends people contact their township trustee's office or utility company to see if they qualify for a payment arrangement. She also says people can call 2-1-1 for other resources in their community or contact real services.

“Quite a few years ago, we did have what was called a summer cool program, but that’s actually been eliminated at least five years if not more and the state had switched those benefits to the winter months and so they just increase the benefits that we were giving family during the winter months, instead of providing the summer benefit,” said Simmons.

Because residents kept asking about summer cooling assistance, real services posted the sign to let people know it's not something they offer.

This year, the energy assistance program opens Oct. 1, earlier than the usual date of Nov. 1.

A South Bend nonprofit is clearing up confusion about its energy assistance program, as more people see the need for utility assistance.

Real Services is a South Bend nonprofit that provides support to older adults and low-income families. Its services include meals and nutrition, transportation, and energy and housing assistance. 

A sign on the door of the energy assistance program recently led some people to believe funding had been cut, but officials say the program is simply closed for the season.

“This is actually something that for as long as I've known the program and it’s been over 30 years it is a seasonal program because it is a heating assistance program so we help during the cold months to offset the heating cost that family experience in our communities,” said Ingrid Simmons, Energy Assistance Program Director.

During the summer months, Simmons recommends people contact their township trustee's office or utility company to see if they qualify for a payment arrangement. She also says people can call 2-1-1 for other resources in their community or contact real services.

“Quite a few years ago, we did have what was called a summer cool program, but that’s actually been eliminated at least five years if not more and the state had switched those benefits to the winter months and so they just increase the benefits that we were giving family during the winter months, instead of providing the summer benefit,” said Simmons.

Because residents kept asking about summer cooling assistance, real services posted the sign to let people know it's not something they offer.

This year, the energy assistance program opens Oct. 1, earlier than the usual date of Nov. 1.