Initial and continuing eligibility for public home care shall be established, and documented in the form of a case record for each person applying for and receiving such care as a public charge. A resident shall be considered a public charge unless he is paying for the cost of his care at a rate which is at least equal to the rate approved by the department and in effect during the period of care.

Insofar as they are appropriate, the provisions of department regulations shall apply to the provision of care in a public home.