All persons wishing to make application for any class of welfare assistance shall have an opportunity to do so. Upon receipt of an application for any class of welfare assistance, the department shall make such investigation as may be necessary and as the exigency of the case will permit to determine the eligibility of the applicant for, and the form, amount, extent, and period of, such assistance.
When the department approves an application for any class of welfare assistance, it shall fix the amount, form, extent and period of such assistance in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and within the limits of available funds.