The department shall:

1. (a) Establish minimum and maximum standards for the amount and form of relief, on a budgetary basis, as provided in Sections 18472, 18473, and 18474.
2. (b) Establish standards of eligibility for relief, which shall be of uniform application throughout the state.
3. (c) Make investigations in relation to the administration of relief.
4. (d) Secure information and make reports thereon.