(1) pursue Supplemental Security Income; and

(2) sign an interim payment reimbursement authorization that:

(i) gives the Social Security Administration authority to mail the applicant’s payments to the Department or the local department; and

(ii) authorizes the Department or local department to deduct from the payments an amount equal to the assistance granted the applicant under this subtitle.

(b) A recipient who is otherwise eligible under this subtitle may not receive assistance for more than 9 months in a 36-month period, unless the recipient:

(1) has been certified as medically disabled by a licensed health care provider on the medical form required under § 5-5B-05 of this subtitle; and

(2) has a pending application for Supplemental Security Income that has not been withdrawn or finally denied.