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571 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 11: Medical Related Payments (MRP) Note: A USDA food chart is not an acceptable form of monthly cost verification. Special diet items must be purchased at the lowest cost available for that item. For individuals who have difficulties understanding what documentation is needed, staff may include the information found in the three primary bullet points above as part of the pending notice. The amount of a special diet allowance is calculated as follows: • The monthly cost of the special diet items, less the monthly cost of the current diet items being replaced or removed. If no items are being replaced or removed, the allowance is the actual monthly cost of the special diet items. • Management staff must approve or deny any request for a special diet allowance that is $300 or less. An exceptional amount may be authorized by the APD financial eligibility and waiver unit. • Each special diet allowance must be reviewed at each renewal. Click here for examples: Special diet allowance. Oregon Administrative Rule(s) 461-155-0670 — Special Need; Special Diet Allowance 461-125-0830 — Medical Documentation; Disability and Other Determinations Supplemental communication allowance A communication allowance is allowed for the following OSIPM individuals who live in their own home, are 18 years of age or older and are unable to leave their residence without the assistance of another person due to a documented medical condition: • Individuals receiving SSI, • Individuals with adjusted income less than the OSIPM program standard , or • Individuals receiving in-home services under OAR chapter 411 division 030. The communication allowance may cover the following, and is limited to a maximum of $25 per individual per month: • The least expensive appropriate monthly telephone service or the basic rate, whichever is less, • The cost of telephone adaptive equipment if the individual has a medically documented need (e.g., TDD, a special headset, dialing mechanism or emergency response system), • A necessary landline telephone installation charge, or • Broadband internet service. Eligible individuals must apply for or receive a payment through the Oregon Lifeline program (Formerly the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program, or OTAP). See Lifeline for more information about the Oregon Lifeline program. ODHS|OHA may provide a maximum supplemental payment of $30 for necessary installation charges. Each individual is eligible for a single communication allowance valid for either telephone service or broadband service.