The person conducting the hearing, upon good cause shown, may continue the hearing for a period of not to exceed 30 days. When the refusal of a county to accept a signed application for aid or services is an issue, the director may require the county to accept the application, and may continue the case until the results of the investigation have been reported to him or her. In any such case in which aid is awarded by the director or his or her designee, the payments shall commence at the time indicated by the director or his or her designee.