(a) Determine and prescribe the number and qualifications of the personnel employed or to be employed in administering public assistance in each of the municipalities or counties, as appropriate;

(b) Require the keeping of such records, and the making of such reports, by each municipality or county, as appropriate, in connection with the administration of State aid within such municipality or county, in such form, and containing such information, as he may from time to time determine, and make such investigations as he may from time to time deem to be necessary to assure the correctness and verification of the facts stated in such records and reports;

(c) Investigate the administration of public assistance within each municipality or county, as appropriate, and determine the compliance or noncompliance of such municipality or county with the provisions of law, including the provisions of P.L.1947, c.156 (C. 44:8-107 et seq.), governing the administration of State aid for relief and with the standards and requirements prescribed by the department;

(d) Withhold payment of State aid from any municipality or county, as appropriate, neglecting or refusing to keep such records or make such reports or to comply with any of the standards and requirements prescribed by the department or with any provision of law governing the administration of State aid including the provisions of P.L.1947, c.156 (C. 44:8-107 et seq.);

(e) Consult with and advise any local assistance board or other officials of any municipality, or any county welfare agency or other officials of any county, in connection with any public assistance problem in the municipality or county, as appropriate.

L.1947,c.156,s.6; amended 1995,c.259,s.17.