As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Department" means the Department of Human Resources and includes the county departments of family and children services and the agents, agencies, officers, and employees designated by the commissioner of human resources to perform any function vested in the Department of Human Resources by this article.

(2) "Public assistance" means payment in or by money, medical care, remedial care, goods, or services to or for the benefit of needy persons under any categories that may be established pursuant to this article.

(3) "Recipient" means a person to whom, or on whose behalf, public assistance is granted.