Maybe it's part of some secret plan to keep low-income families warm this winter?

The changes make little sense, otherwise. No wonder they've sparked widespread criticism from utility company officials and low-income advocates alike.

Even with more federal aid money in the pipeline now than in previous years, the state intends to open applications for grants one month later than normal, and then close them two weeks early. That will shorten the aid season by six weeks.

Nor will householders be able to combine two grants to head off a utility shutoff, as was long permitted. Gas and electric utility customers also could be shortchanged by the timetable, while heating-oil and propane users move up in line for aid.

Less aid for poor customers of struggling Philadelphia Gas Works means other consumers will pay a larger subsidy to make up for the shortfall. The utility's overall financial health could suffer.

The plan for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), designed by the state Department of Public Welfare, is being described as "simply an attempt to be able to stretch the dollars as far as possible."

Welfare officials contend their conservative approach is warranted, but Congress is widely expected to boost heating-aid funding from reduced levels requested in President Obama's budget.

DPW says the LIHEAP rules will be loosened if and when Congress acts. But at three recent public hearings - and in legal filings from advocates and the state Public Utility Commission - welfare officials were besieged with compelling pleas to fix the flawed plan now.

The PUC offers the best suggestion: Just put it back the way it was last year. Under those terms, low-income households earning sightly more than the poverty level could seek heating-aid grants as of Nov. 1. They'll also be able to pair a regular cash grant with a so-called crisis grant to get heat restored or avoid a shutoff.

The PUC rightly suggests that other proposed changes to the LIHEAP plan need further discussion. And Community Legal Services attorneys note that it would make sense to use all of the heating-aid funds for grants, rather than diverting money to weatherization programs that are flush this year with federal stimulus funds.

The Farmer's Almanac is predicting the usual winter chill for the Northeast, so it makes sense to get the right LIHEAP plans in place now - even at the risk of cooling the critics' tempers.