The local unit shall decide whether the applicant is eligible for assistance under the provisions of this subtitle, and determine in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Department the amount of such assistance and the date on which such assistance shall begin. The local unit shall notify the applicant of its decision. Such assistance shall be paid monthly or as otherwise determined by the Social Services Administration to the applicant upon order of the local unit from funds allocated to it for this purpose. Should the fund or funds available be insufficient to make payments in accordance with the amount of assistance established to be needed, the State Department shall, by rule and regulation, provide for a uniform method of adjusting individual payments.