ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- La Casa de Amistad announced Monday evening that it has partnered with United Way of St. Joseph County to offer financial assistance to St. Joseph County residents in need of help paying for utilities and rent.

The first program offered, Team HEAT, helps families pay for utilities during winter. Through the program, La Casa de Amistad will match payments made by families up to $200 per month for gas, electricity, water, and oil.

The second program, Estabilidad de Vivienda, translated as Housing Stability, helps with covering rent or mortgages, with La Casa de Amistad matching residents up to $1,000 in a one-time amount towards their rent or mortgage.

To qualify for either program, you must live in St. Joseph County, meet income limits according to the size of your household, make a public service payment each month in compliance with the half and half model, and sign an Information Authorization Form.

To fill out an application for these programs, you need to visit La Casa de Amistad at 3423 S Michigan Street in South Bend. The programs will remain available until funds run out, says La Casa de Amistad.