KTKA

"It's been a real struggle, I have been one this year that had to apply for LEAP," said Renita Thompson.

Renita Thompson is on a fixed income and the rate increase is going to take more out of her pocket.

"You do feel the pinch, which means maybe eat more peanut butter and jelly then, than maybe hamburger," said Thompson.

She takes us through her neighborhood where many of her friends had to leave because they couldn't pay their bills.

"So with this increase with the utilities we're like, 'How much do they want, how much more?'" said Thompson.

And asking for assistance isn't easy.

"It takes a lot of your pride to go down to Let's Help," said Thompson.

She received help from an assistance program this year, but the charities don't have any more money.

"Other agencies being out of funding, refer those folks to us for those needs," said Elmer Robinson from Kansas Association of Community Action.

More people are asking for help with utility bills, which is leaving charities saying no.

"The issues we're seeing, I think with the rise of energy costs, these families are coming in with bills that are much larger than we have seen in the past. And the funding that's available unfortunately doesn't cover such a large bill," said Robinson.

Leaving people like Renita stuck.

"Well you have to rob Peter to pay Paul," Thompson.

She thinks the community needs to help out.

"Think it's where people are going to have to start stepping up and start helping one another, instead of saying it's not my problem," said Thompson.