(a) Generally. - Public assistance shall be payable under this chapter to or on behalf of any person who is a needy blind person within the requirements of this chapter, or is a needy person over the age of 65 years within the requirements of this chapter, or is a dependent child within the requirements of this chapter, or who is permanently and totally disabled within the requirements of this chapter. No public assistance shall be payable under this chapter to or on behalf of any person who is an inmate of a public institution; except, that such assistance may be payable to or on behalf of persons who are patients in public institutions where such payments are matchable under provisions of the Federal Social Security Act; provided, that the state department shall not grant assistance to inmates of any institution, whether public or private, unless that institution conforms to requirements under the provisions of the Federal Social Security Act and applicable statutes of Alabama.

(b) Blind assistance. - Blind assistance shall be payable under this chapter to or on behalf of any person who shall comply with the other requirements of this chapter and who:

(1) Is blind according to the definition of blindness established by the state department;

(2) Has not sufficient income and resources from all sources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health; provided, that any earned income required by the Federal Social Security Act to be disregarded is hereby excepted;

(3) Is, at the time of filing an application for such assistance, a resident of this state;

(4) Is not receiving any other type of public assistance for which federal matching is available;

(5) Has not directly or indirectly disposed of or deprived himself of any property for the purpose of qualifying for the benefits of this chapter;

(6) Has been examined by a duly licensed ophthalmologist or a licensed physician skilled in the diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist, whichever the individual may select. The examiner shall certify to the county department in writing the results of the examination upon forms prescribed by the state department; and

(7) Shall not during the period of receiving assistance publicly solicit alms. The term "publicly solicit alms" shall be construed to mean either wearing, carrying or exhibiting signs denoting blindness, for the securing of alms, or the carrying of receptacles for the purpose of securing alms or the doing of the same by proxy, or stationary or house-to-house begging or any other means of securing alms.

(c) Old age pensions. - Old age pensions shall be payable under this chapter to or on behalf of any needy person who has attained the age of 65 years, who shall comply with the other requirements of this chapter and who:

(1) Is, at the time of filing an application for an old age pension, a resident of this state;

(2) Has not sufficient income and resources from all sources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health;

(3) Has not directly or indirectly disposed of or deprived himself of any property for the purpose of qualifying for the benefits of this chapter; and

(4) Is not receiving any other type of public assistance for which federal matching is available.

(d) Aid to dependent children. - Aid to dependent children shall be payable under this chapter on behalf of any needy child who is a dependent child as defined in the Federal Social Security Act or amendments thereto who shall comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter, and who:

(1) Has not sufficient income and resources from all sources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health;

(2) Is, at the time application for such aid is filed, making his home in this state;

(3) Has not directly or indirectly disposed of or deprived himself of any property for the purpose of qualifying for the benefits of this chapter; and

(4) Is not receiving any other type of public assistance for which federal matching is available. Any person having knowledge that any child is dependent and in need and if the interest of the public requires that such child be granted aid may bring such fact to the attention of the county department in the county where the child resides.

(e) Aid to permanently and totally disabled. - Aid to the permanently and totally disabled shall be payable under this chapter to or on behalf of any needy person 18 years of age or older who shall comply with the other requirements of this chapter and who:

(1) Is permanently and totally disabled according to the definition of permanent and total disability established by the state department and whose needy condition is primarily due to these limitations so that he is unable to provide himself with the necessities of life;

(2) Has not sufficient income and resources from all sources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health;

(3) Is, at the time of filing an application for such aid, a resident of this state;

(4) Has not directly or indirectly disposed of or deprived himself of any property for the purpose of qualifying for the benefits of this chapter; and

(5) Is not receiving any other type of public assistance for which federal matching is available.