(a) For applicants other than the department, funds allocated shall generally be administered as a reimbursement program. At the request of an applicant, the commission shall authorize an advance payment for project development work necessary for a project specified in Article 5 (commencing with Section 14556.40). At the request of an applicant, the commission may authorize an advance payment for demonstrated need, or for a project right-of-way, construction, or procurement phase.
(b) Project costs incurred prior to commission approval of a project application may not be reimbursed. Project costs incurred prior to commission allocation of funds, but after commission approval of a project application, may be reimbursed retroactively after allocation.