When necessary to comply with any present or future federal law or regulation in order to obtain federal participation in public assistance payments, the payments may be made direct to vendors to reimburse them for goods and services provided the applicants or recipients, and may be made to protective payees who shall act for the applicant or recipient for receiving and managing assistance. Payments to vendors and protective payees shall be made to the extent provided in, and in accordance with, rules  of the Social Services Commission or the Department, which rules shall be subject to applicable federal laws and regulations. (1963, c. 380; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; c. 747; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, s. 20; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 12.9.)