(a) Restricted payments for homeless assistance benefits shall be provided by a county welfare department to a recipient, if at least one of the following criteria is met:
(1) The recipient has mismanaged AFDC funds, as defined in Section 11273 and in accordance with federal law.
(2) The recipient has voluntarily requested restricted payments. The request shall be in writing from the recipient and shall be recorded and retained in the case file by the county welfare department.
(b) At the option of the county welfare department, restricted payments made pursuant to subdivision (a) may be made for utilities as well as shelter.