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Staff Tools | GA Program Manual | G. Special Needs
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DHS home | SPD
Staff Tools | GA Program Manual | G. Special Needs
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Special needs are needs not included in the basic standard. They may be one-time needs or ongoing needs.
Ongoing special needs are needs that last several months at a consistent cost. 461-155-0010 is used to determine how special needs are considered for each program.
Some special need items replace the standard allowances and do not change the standard payment. No additional payments are made for these items, for instance room and board or adult foster care.
To be eligible for a special need item, individuals must have no other available resources in the community or in their natural support system to meet the need.
To be eligible for a special need item, individuals must not be eligible for the item through Medicare, Medicaid or any other medical coverage.
The Department will authorize payment for one-time and ongoing special needs for the following, in accordance with the rules that follow:
Payment for a one-time special need will be authorized if providing for the need will sustain the individual’s independence and stability. This includes payments to prevent foreclosure resulting from nonpayment of property taxes. Ongoing special needs are to be provided to enhance the individual’s ability to meet an unmet maintenance need such as a telephone allowance in lieu of additional service hours or due to a rural setting. Ongoing special needs are to be considered if the individual cannot meet these needs through family support or other service organizations that provide funding for persons who are elderly or disabled.
Special needs are items that are not included in the basic standard for each program. They may be one-time needs or ongoing needs.
AFC special need allowances are limited to individuals in facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services.
Payments for room and board may be paid during the month of admission.
These individuals are nonwaivered MHDD
Individuals are eligible for a laundry allowance if they have proven, excessive, coin-operated laundry facility costs and do not:
This allowance will not exceed an amount required to wash and dry the laundry.
The Department will authorize a special-need payment for home repairs for homeowners or buyers as a one-time special need within the following limits:
The repairs must be needed to remove a physical hazard to the health and safety of the individual.
Payment for repairs authorized by this rule:
Payments necessary for a one-time home repair may be made over a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days.
A filing group that has received a home repair payment under this rule is not eligible for a home repair payment again until the first day of the twenty-fourth month following the first payment that was made for the most recent home repair.
The repairs must cost less than moving to another home.
Payment is limited to the lowest possible cost that will provide adequate facilities. The client must provide three competitive bids for the repairs, unless there are not three providers of the service in the local area.
Before approving payment for repairs or new installations, the Department will consider the use value and will determine whether it is consistent with the care plan for the client to remain in the house. Providers of the repairs or new installations must ensure that the work being completed meets current building codes.
Repairs or replacements include, but are not limited to:
Clients with life estates are not eligible for this special need allowance. The person who will benefit from the life estate, following the death of the client, is considered responsible for the home repairs.
The Department will authorize payment for the cost of moving a client’s household effects as a one-time special need if:
The Department will not authorize payment of expenses to return the client to a state of former residence.
Payment for moving costs authorized by this rule:
Payments necessary for a one-time move may be made over a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days.
A filing group that has received a payment for moving costs under this rule is not eligible for a moving cost payment again until the first day of the twelfth month following the first payment that was made for the most recent month.
Clients who are homeowners or buyers are allowed a special need of one year of delinquent real property taxes, penalties and interest, if needed to prevent imminent foreclosure.
Clients who are eligible for the Oregon Property Tax Deferral Program must opt to defer property taxes. If necessary, the state may provide payment for back property taxes, to bring the tax current, to allow clients to defer their ongoing property taxes.
Clients who have not chosen to defer their property taxes, and have failed to pay their property taxes, will not receive a property tax special need payment unless the exception is authorized by the Department's Estates Administration Unit. The exception will be based on the value of the property, the potential of foreclosure and the potential of an Estates Administration Unit recovery of such property.
Imminent foreclosure is indicated by a formal notice of foreclosure.
A client living in a residential care facility, a specialized living facility, an adult foster care facility, or an assisted living facility may receive a room-and-board payment limited to the month of admission, but only if the facility is licensed by the Department. This special need is provided to clients that have exhausted their available income for the month and require funds to pay for the initial month of room-and-board. |
To receive the restaurant meals special need clients must have proven medical and nutritional needs that cannot be met with meals purchased with food stamp benefits.
Individuals living in their own homes who are unable to prepare their own meals, but are eligible for FS, may have their meals prepared by attendants that volunteer or are compensated by the In-Home Services program. Individuals may also receive, if eligible, Meals on Wheels services to supplement their diet.
The payment standard for restaurant meals is $60 per month.
Room and board means an individual purchases meals and shelter from a commercial provider who offers only room and board, with no additional services.
Use the standard allowance for room and board if:
Room and board payment is established on a statewide standard based on the cost of an adult maintaining an independent living situation.
Individuals are not eligible for a special diet allowance if they are receiving any of the following:
Individuals are eligible for a special diet allowance if they are in an imminent life-threatening situation. The situation must be verified by medical documentation.
The special diet allowance is the lesser of the following:
Local management staff must approve the request for a special diet allowance, which must include documentation of the individual's medical need by an agency-approved medical authority.
Each diet allowance must be reviewed at six month intervals.
Grant a telephone allowance for individuals receiving in-home services if they are unable to leave their residence without assistance due to a documented medical condition.
Allow costs as follows:
OTAP form: AFS
7254
Link-Up America form: AFS
7253
Approve transportation costs for work search or give bus tickets for bona fide job interviews. Do not make a transportation payment once the individual gains employment. In addition, use the following criteria:
