Subject to the sufficiency of funds appropriated for this program, emergency assistance grants may be authorized by the director of the department of social services, or his delegate, when a finding is made that an individual family emergency exists. Such emergency assistance may be authorized during only one period of thirty consecutive days in any twelve-consecutive-month period, including payments which are to meet needs which arose before the thirty-day period or which extend beyond the thirty-day period. The program shall provide that a finding that an emergency does or does not exist will be made and, if applicable, assistance will be granted within three days after receipt by the department of a properly completed application.