When a person shall apply for relief for himself or another to a county welfare board, the director of welfare, under the direction of the board, shall inquire into the facts, conditions and circumstances of the case, and also into the matter of such person's settlement if it shall appear that such person is unable to earn a livelihood by his own labor and is a poor person and requires temporary or permanent relief.
The director shall also ascertain the direct or indirect causes of poverty, and whether or not a person requiring permanent relief is without adequate home or without children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents or husband, who are by law required and able to maintain him and other persons who are willing to do so.