(1) Any person has the right to make application for that form of public assistance or care that he or she believes will meet his or her needs. The applicant or any adult member of the applicant's family has the right to make application for such assistance or care. If a person establishes a good cause reason, in accordance with section 351.26 of this Title, that prevents the person from applying for public assistance, that person may designate in writing a person to act on the person's behalf, including a relative, friend, other agency or institution, and that designee must have the right to make an application on the person's behalf and provide information to the social services district to determine the person's initial and continuing eligibility for public assistance. The designation of an authorized representative does not relieve the person of the obligation to cooperate with all aspects of initial and continuing eligibility for public assistance and to provide timely and accurate information to the social services district.

(2) A social services district may set a limit on the number of households an authorized representative may represent. Prior to implementing that limit, a social services district must identify the circumstances under which the limit will be imposed and submit such circumstances to this office for approval.