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according to current AFDC standards. Any income of the children shall be subtracted from the AFDC standard in determining the amount to be allocated from the parent. (3) If both members of the couple apply for and are found eligible for GDA, a budget is computed for the couple to determine if a deficit exists. If so, each person may be certified for a payment equal to one-half the deficit, not to exceed the maximum payment level per individual. I. Total needs consist of an allowance for basic requirements and of allowances for special needs, if applicable. (1) Basic requirements are items of need considered essential to all people in the assistance budget. Allowances are included for food, clothing, medical chest, incidentals, household needs, laundry, insurance, shelter, and utilities. The basic requirements allowance for an individual is ninety-four dollars and fifty-five cents per month and the basic requirement allowance for an individual and spouse is one hundred forty-three dollars and eighty cents per month. (2) Allowances for the following special needs may be included if verification is provided by an individual’s physician that the special need currently exists. (a) A standard allowance of six dollars per month for a special diet will be included for each person with tuberculosis or an arrested tubercular case who still requires medication for the illness. (b) An allowance of up to one hundred thirty dollars per month will be included for nursing care in the home if medical necessity is verified and documented and if the care cannot be provided by responsible relatives in the home. J. Total income for eligibility purposes means total gross income. If any person in a GDA budget receives income from the sources specified in 114-11-50 B, such income shall be disregarded in the same manner as in the AFDC program. Income received on a weekly basis shall be multiplied by four and one-third to obtain the monthly amount. Irregular unearned income as defined in 114-11-50(A)(2)(b) shall be computed in the same manner as in the AFDC program. K. Amount of assistance to be granted shall be determined by subtracting total rounded income from total rounded needs. The award will be the amount of the deficit, but may not exceed the maximum payment level. L. Maximum payment level for GDA shall be set by the agency each year according to funds available from the State General Appropriation Act. M. An individual who is determined eligible for a GDA money payment shall be eligible for State Medical Assistance beginning with the first day of the month of certification for GDA payment. There shall be no eligibility for medical services performed before this date for GDA clients. N. Institutional Living Situations. (1) An individual who needs or desires to live in a public or private institution may be eligible for GDA and medical vendor payments, depending on the nature of the institution and whether the individual is otherwise eligible for GDA. (2) To be eligible for GDA while living in an institution, the individual must be in a public or private Title XIX certified hospital or nursing facility or a licensed residential care facility. (3) An individual shall not be eligible for GDA while a patient in or resident of a public or private medical institution which is not Title XIX certified or which is operated primarily for the care of mentally ill or tubercular patients. (4) The need for nursing care must be certified by the Professional Standards Review Organiza- tion (PSRO) before medical vendor payment can be authorized. (5) The institution in which the individual is living must be licensed by the appropriate State licensing authority. (6) If the individual is a patient in a public or private hospital, financial eligibility shall be determined according to the individual’s home situation. (7) An individual who resides in a licensed nursing facility shall be allowed a personal needs allowance, the amount of which is set annually by the agency.