The local department shall determine an eligibility period for a recipient based on the estimated duration of the impairment indicated in the medical form required under § 5–5B–05 of this subtitle. The eligibility period determined by the local department: may be less than the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form; and may not exceed the estimated recovery time indicated on the medical form. If a local department determines that a recipient’s eligibility period is at least 3 months, but less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 9 months in a 36–month period. If the local department determines that a recipient is unlikely to recover in less than 12 months, the recipient shall be eligible for assistance for not more than 12 months if the recipient: pursues Supplemental Security Income; and otherwise remains eligible for assistance under this subtitle. The local department may establish additional eligibility periods, each not exceeding 12 months, if the recipient: reapplies for assistance under this subtitle; maintains eligibility; and continues to pursue a Supplemental Security Income claim. The local department shall adjust the eligibility period for a recipient to be not more than 9 months in a 36–month period if the recipient: withdraws the recipient’s application for Supplemental Security Income; or is denied the Supplemental Security Income claim. Unless a recipient reapplies for assistance and the local department establishes an additional eligibility period, a recipient’s eligibility for assistance under this subtitle will automatically end at the end of the eligibility period established by the local department. If a recipient is eligible for any portion of a month, the recipient shall be eligible for the entire month.