53-2-608. Method of issuing assistance grants. (1) When an individual or household is determined to be eligible for public assistance under this title, the department shall make payments to the individual or household or to a vendor on behalf of the individual or household in the full amount approved. Payment may be made by check or by electronic transfer, which includes but is not limited to direct deposits to an account at a financial institution and electronic benefit transfer cards. All public assistance checks represent cash on demand at full par value to the recipient and vendor.

(2) Whenever the department, acting pursuant to standards established by the department, determines that any otherwise eligible recipient of public assistance has, by reason of any physical or mental condition, an inability to manage funds and that making payments to the recipient would be contrary to the recipient's welfare, the department may, under standards established under the state plan, make the public assistance payment on behalf of the recipient to another person found by the department to be interested in or concerned with the welfare of the recipient.