(a) Financial assistance shall be given under AS 47.25.430 - 47.25.615, so far as practicable under appropriations made by law, to every aged, blind, or disabled needy resident who has not made a voluntary assignment or transfer of property to qualify for assistance. In this subsection, “resident” means a person who is living in the state voluntarily with the intention of making the state the person's home and who is not living in the state for a temporary purpose.

(b) The department shall determine the amount of assistance with regard to the resources and needs of the person and the conditions existing in each case. Assistance shall be in an amount that will provide the applicant with reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health in accordance with standards established by the department and with the standards established under 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383 (Title XVI, Social Security Act Supplemental Security Income Program). Direct payments for medical services and remedial care may not be considered in determining the maximum amount payable. When benefit amounts under 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383 are increased as a result of an increase in the cost of living, the state shall pass along the increase to recipients and shall increase the amount of the state contribution to recipients, other than those receiving a personal needs allowance, by a percentage of the state contribution equal to the percentage increase in the benefit amounts under 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383 if the legislature has appropriated money specifically for the purpose of increasing the state contribution because of an increase in federal benefit amounts under 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383; this increase in the state contribution takes effect on the same day that the corresponding federal increase in benefits under 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383 takes effect.

(c) Payment under AS 47.25.430 - 47.25.615 may not be made to a person who is a resident of a public institution, except as a patient in a public medical institution, or a person who is a patient in a public or private institution for treatment of a mental disease. For purposes of this subsection, “resident” and “patient” do not include a person who is institutionalized for medical services for a period of less than three months if the person needs to continue to maintain and provide for the expenses of a home or living arrangement to which that person may return upon discharge from the institution.

(d) A resident of an institution may, upon or in anticipation of leaving the institution, apply for assistance under AS 47.25.430 - 47.25.615 instead of the support and maintenance provided in the institution.

(e) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) of this section, the department shall, in a manner that complies with federal requirements, reduce the maximum state contribution to recipients otherwise payable on August 24, 1993 to the maximum state contribution to recipients that was in effect on January 1, 1992. On and after August 24, 1993, the department shall, in a manner that complies with federal requirements, calculate the amount of monthly assistance for a recipient based on the maximum state contribution to recipients in effect on January 1, 1992, as modified by any increase under (b) of this section.

(f) Unless the person is not eligible under the limited eligibility provision of 8 U.S.C. 1613, a state payment under AS 47.25.430 - 47.25.615 shall be made to a person who

(1) meets the requirements of state law;

(2) is a qualified alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641; and

(3) otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of 42 U.S.C. 1381 - 1383.