If it's too hot in your home, the Virginia Department of Social Services may be able to dry some of the sweat on your back.

The Cooling Program helps eligible people pay their cooling and heating bills as well as providing for electric and equipment needs

The program's requirements include age, which means eligible families must have a member who isover 60 or under six years of age.

The local DSS offices in Rockingham and Augusta counties has seen more applications for help in one month than they got all last year. Officials blame the slowing economic situation for the rise in the need.

Sharon Payne, senior eligibility supervisor, says, "The amount of assistance that people receive this year for their electric bills is up to $475 and that is considerable higher than it has been in the past."

The office in Page County has had 200 applications as well.