If an application is not acted upon by the local unit within a reasonable time after the filing of the application, or is denied in whole or in part, or if any award of assistance is modified or cancelled under any provision of this subtitle, the applicant or recipient may appeal to the State Department in the manner and form prescribed by the State Department. The State Department shall, upon receipt of such an appeal, give the applicant or recipient reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing.

      The State Department may also, upon its own motion, review any decision of a local unit, and may consider any application upon which a decision has not been made by the local unit within a reasonable time. The State Department may make such additional investigation as it may deem necessary, and shall make such decision as to the granting of assistance and the amount of assistance to be granted the applicant as in its opinion is justified and in conformity with the provisions of this subtitle. Applicants or recipients affected by such decisions of the State Department shall, upon request, be given reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing by the State Department.

      All decisions of the State Department shall be final and shall be binding upon the county involved and shall be complied with by the local unit.