The forecast seems favorable for Dorothy Smith, who expects this winter will be quite a bit warmer than the last.

But it isn’t an El Nino, or even global warming, that will be helping the 80-year-old Oak Harbor resident out of the cold.

Like many seniors, Smith was unable to pay for her heat bill with the limited income she receives from Social Security. To make matters worse, her spacious 1968 home lacked insulation throughout and was heated with baseboards, which Opportunity Council staff member Dan Ceaser described as “notoriously” inefficient.

With assistance from the federally funded program LIHEAP, offered through the Opportunity Council, Smith’s heat bills have been significantly lowered, allowing her to enjoy a much more comfortable environment.

LIHEAP assists specifically with heat bills and is the only energy assistance program offered through the organization that also helps with the cost of bulk fuels such as oil, wood or propane.

Assistance is issued once per year based upon the person’s 12-month billing history. It isn’t necessary for a person to be in shut-off status to be eligible for LIHEAP, though for those in shut-off status and in need of immediate aid, the council is also able to distribute Salvation Army Warm Home Fund vouchers.

To be eligible for LIHEAP, one must bring in an income that is equivalent to or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level.

It’s the most-utilized energy assistance program, according to Lisa Clark, executive director of the Island County Opportunity Council.

About 65 percent of those who use the program are ages 60 and older, she said, adding that about 1,600 applications are processed each year for all of the organization’s energy assistance programs combined.

Puget Sound Energy also provides funds to the Opportunity Council for a program to lend assistance with electric bills, called PSE Help, for which the income threshold is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Clark noted that the council begins taking appointments for seniors interested in the LIHEAP program Oct. 1, while appointment scheduling will be open to the general public on Nov. 7.

“We’ve always done a senior early-intake because we consider them one of our most vulnerable populations, so we want to make sure they get in,” Clark said.

“Most of our clients struggle to pay their utility bills, because it’s a big piece of their total monthly income,” Clark added, explaining that some seniors live on as little as $400 a month. “That’s why we target seniors, because so many of them are on a fixed income.”

In addition to the assistance with her bills, Smith will soon receive several energy-efficient home alterations through the organization’s Weatherization program.

Already, she has received a ductless heating vent to replace her baseboard heaters, which she said has made a significant difference.

In observance of National Weatherization Day Tuesday, contractors will continue work on Smith’s home with an invitation for local political leaders to view the process.

“I said, ‘If it’s going to help somebody else, yes,’” Smith said of inviting others into her home to see the process.

The alterations will include insulation in the attic and crawlspace, as well as pipe-wrapping.

Smith has lived in her home since moving to Oak Harbor in 1973, and now lives alone.

The weatherization upgrades will also include safety implements, such as a C0 detector, guard rail and new carpeting to replace slippery shag carpet on a stairwell to help prevent falls or slips.

Weatherization addresses the whole house as a “system,” said Clark.

Often misconstrued as “winterization,” Ceaser explained that weatherization is more concerned with the “health and safety” of the entire house. By addressing various issues, he said, greater energy efficiency will result.

Ceaser estimated that between 48-60 households would take advantage of the weatherization program this year.

“This is quite the blessing,” Smith said.

To learn how to qualify for energy assistance through the Opportunity Council of Island County, call the Energy Assistance Scheduling and Information Line at 360-679-6577 or 1-800-317-5427 Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.

The line will also be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.