The amount of assistance to which any person, household or family shall be entitled to receive in the form of food coupons, food stamps or food purchase benefits transferred electronically or by other means under this part shall be determined by measuring the income and resources of such person, household or family against the state-wide standards provided in §71-5-304(3) and shall be approved by the area manager or the area manager's designated agent in accordance with the rules and regulations made by the department. Any amount of earned income required by federal statute to be exempt in determining need shall be exempt and shall not be considered as a resource in determining the amount of assistance to be paid to any person under this part.