A family of four will have to be about $11,000 poorer this winter than last year to qualify for LIHEAP assistance for fuel bills and heating emergencies. Even then, new caps will limit the amount of aid they can get.

The annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which opens today, has reduced benefits roughly to 2007 levels, anticipating a rollback in the amount of money that Washington will budget for the federally funded, state-run program.

"The only reason the amounts went up last year was because we had such a large increase last year from the federal government," said Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman Stacey Witalec. "Let's hope Mother Nature is kind and we don't have to worry about it."

To qualify for help this winter, a household of four can have an income of no more $33,075, down from $44,433 last year.

The income limit for a household of two is $21,855, down from $30,221 last year. (Income cutoffs for different size households are listed under the LIHEAP tab at www.dpw.state.pa.us.)

For those who qualify, this year's LIHEAP cash program, which helps needy homeowners and renters pay their heating bills, will offer recipients a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,000. Last year's minimum was $300, with no set upper limit.

The LIHEAP crisis program, for emergencies like broken heating equipment, a utility shutoff or running out of fuel, will pay a maximum of $400 - half of last year's $800 - with a minimum grant of $25. That part of the program will start Jan. 4, 2010.

If the feds' final budget for LIHEAP turns out to be more or less generous than expected, Witalec said, the state might adjust its grants, its income cutoffs or both.

LIHEAP applicants can fill out forms online at www.compass.state.pa.us. In Philadelphia, DPW will also accept applications starting today at its LIHEAP office at 1348 West Sedgley Ave. In the suburbs, applicants can file the forms at their county assistance office.

You'll need to give the name, date of birth and a Social Security number for everyone in your household, along with proof of income for every household member, plus a heating bill in the applicant's name with the household address on it.

The city's 14 Neighborhood Energy Centers are also taking applications for LIHEAP cash grants. While they can't process crisis requests, anyone with a cash grant can request the emergency help by phone, Witalec said.

The state's LIHEAP hotline is 866-857-7095.