As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who has applied for assistance under this article.

(2) "Assistance" means money payments to, medical care in behalf of, or any type of remedial care recognized under state law in behalf of needy individuals who are 65 years of age or older but does not include any such payments to or care in behalf of any individual who is an inmate of a public institution (except as a patient in a medical institution) or any individual who is a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental health or mental retardation services.

(3) "Recipient" means a person who has received assistance under this article.