Except as otherwise provided under this section, the department shall promulgate rules to implement section 15 only, pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328. However, the department’s rule-making authority is limited to developing the form for the Michigan reconnect grant application and prescribing the time and manner of its completion, as provided in section 15(f), and applying the initial eligibility criteria listed in section 15(a) to (e), (g), and (h). The department shall not apply any initial eligibility criteria not listed in section 15. To facilitate implementation of the Michigan reconnect grant program prior to final rules being adopted, the department may develop and administer the Michigan reconnect grant application in accordance with its proposed rules or other policy or directive of the department established pursuant to this act.