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Financial assistance may be given under AS 47.25.120 — 47.25.300, so far as practicable under the conditions in this state, to a needy person who is eligible under the regulations of the department. Sec. 47.25.130. Amount and type of assistance. (a) The amount of assistance for a needy person shall be determined by the department with regard to the resources and needs of the person and the conditions existing in each case. Where possible, assistance shall be sufficient to provide the applicant with reasonable subsistence according to standards of assistance established by the department. However, the amount of assistance for subsistence needs may not exceed $120 a person a calendar month. (b) The department may enter into competitively awarded group service agreements with providers, and may require needy persons under AS 47.25.120 — 47.25.300 to obtain services from these designated providers. Sec. 47.25.140. Residents of public institutions. (a) Payment under AS 47.25.120 — 47.25.300 may not be made to or on behalf of an individual who is a resident of a public institution, except as a patient in a public medical institution, or an individual who is a patient in a public or private institution for tuberculosis or mental disease. A resident of a public institution who is otherwise eligible to receive an allowance under AS 47.25.120 — 47.25.300 may apply for the allowance instead of the support and maintenance provided in the public institution. (b) In this section, “public institution” does not include the Alaska Pioneers' Home or the Alaska Veterans' Home. Sec. 47.25.150. Application for assistance. A person requesting assistance shall apply for it, either personally or through another person, in a format and manner prescribed in regulations adopted by the department. Regulations adopted under this section must establish an electronic application for assistance and allow an applicant to submit an application in electronic format or in other formats required by state and federal law. The electronic application must inform an applicant that a false statement made on the application will be investigated and is punishable under AS 11.56.210. In this section, “electronic application” means an application for benefits or renewal of benefits, whether the department exclusively administers the benefits or administers the benefits in coordination with another state agency or federal agency, electronically completed and submitted through the department's Internet website. Sec. 47.25.160. Investigation of applicant. The department shall promptly investigate each applicant to determine the applicant's eligibility. Sec. 47.25.170. Granting of assistance. Upon the completion of its investigation, the department shall decide whether the applicant is eligible for and should receive assistance promptly under AS 47.25.120 — 47.25.300, the amount of assistance, the manner of paying or providing it, and the date on which the assistance shall