53-2-603. Award of public assistance after eligibility determination. Upon completion of an application, the department, through the appropriate local office of public assistance, shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for public assistance under the provisions of this title, the type and amount of public assistance the applicant must receive, and the date upon which the public assistance must begin. This subsection does not apply to any form of public assistance managed by a managed care contractor, as provided in 53-6-116, when a determination of eligibility is made by the managed care contractor.