OLD FORGE, N.Y. (WKTV) - While many in Central New York are enjoying pleasant summer weather, some are already thinking about winter.

Seniors in Old Forge have already begun thinking about the worst, after spending so much on heat a year ago.

"Last year, one person ranch house...I spent 380 a month for heat this year," said Miriam Kasiwa, an Old Forge resident. "It's going to be 600. I am a retired person...I have a fixed income, so that's quite a budget for me."

Tuesday, Senator Charles Schumer spoke with residents about this pressing issue as he says heating assistance programs at the federal level could run out of funding by Christmas.

Schumer is pushing for $5.1 billion through several bills to help low income seniors make it through winter.

The costs are so high that some have already begun crafting plans more than two months from winter to try to save money on heat. But for those on fixed incomes, it still may not be enough.

"I'm going to block off the back halls in the home, block off the living room," said one resident. "I've placed my thermostat in the living room, which is central in the building, and keep the thermostat at 60."

She's not alone - town officials and others singled out heating help for those on fixed incomes above sewer, broadband, and property tax problems plaguing that community.

Schumer urged people to look into state HEAP funding that's out there in addition to federal funds.

He says his top priority of topics discussed Tuesday would be to raise HEAP funding when he heads back to the Senate next week.