(a) Applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance shall be made to the county department in the manner prescribed by the state department and shall contain such information as the state department may require; provided, that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the signing of a pauper's oath on the part of any person making application for assistance hereunder. An investigation and record shall be promptly made by the county department of the circumstances of the applicant. Upon the completion of the investigation the county director shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for assistance under the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the state department and the amount of assistance he shall receive. The county director shall give notice in writing to the applicant of the action taken on his application or any subsequent change in payments.

(b) Within maximum matchable payments in which the federal government will participate as prescribed in the Federal Social Security Act, the amount of assistance to which any person described in Section 38-4-1 shall be entitled shall, under the rules and regulations of the state department, be determined upon the basis of the amount of total income and resources received by the applicant, the husband or wife of the applicant and/or the cohabiting partner of the applicant, as provided by rules promulgated by the Department of Human Resources, except as provided in Section 38-4-1, and such other conditions existing in each case as will determine the need for assistance for such person as provided in this chapter. The amount of such assistance shall be determined with due regard to the conditions existing in each case, subject to the funds available, and the rules and regulations and standards of the state department and the provisions of this chapter.

(c) No provision of this section shall affect in any manner the amount paid to a widow of a Confederate veteran now or hereafter placed on the pension rolls of this state.