When used herein, the term "department" means the State Department of Public Welfare; "commissioner" means the state commissioner of public welfare; "board" means the state board of public welfare; "applicant" means a person applying for assistance under this chapter; "recipient" means a person receiving aid under the provisions of this chapter; "assistance" means money payments including vendor payments made to or in behalf of needy aged persons hereunder; "county department" means the county board of public welfare, the director of public welfare, and such other personnel as may be authorized in said department by the State Department of Public Welfare.