Section 94. Federal donated commodities

1.  (a)  Until his social services
  district  has  been  included  in the food stamp distribution program or
  programs under section ninety-five, each commissioner of social services
  is authorized and  required,  in  accordance  with  regulations  of  the
  department,  to  assist  needy  families  and  individuals of his social
  services district to obtain federal donated commodities for  their  use,
  by  certifying, when such is the case, that they are eligible to receive
  such commodities, and  by  distributing  such  commodities  to  eligible
  families  and individuals.  However, only those who are receiving or are
  eligible for public assistance or care and such others as may qualify in
  accordance with federal requirements and standards  promulgated  by  the
  department shall be certified as eligible to receive such commodities.
    (b)   Each commissioner of social services shall develop and submit to
  the department  for  its  approval  a  plan  describing  his  district's
  operations  under this section, which plan shall accord with federal and
  state requirements.
    2.  Federal donated commodities shall not be deemed or construed to be
  public assistance and care  or  a  substitute,  in  whole  or  in  part,
  therefor;  and  the receipt of such commodities by eligible families and
  individuals shall not subject them, their legally responsible relatives,
  their property or their estates to any demand,  claim  or  liability  on
  account thereof.
    3.  A person's need or eligibility for public assistance or care shall
  not be affected by his receipt of federal donated commodities.
    4.    Any inconsistent provisions of law notwithstanding, expenditures
  made  by  social  services  districts  for  the  purpose  of  certifying
  eligibility  of  needy  families  and  individuals  for  federal donated
  commodities and for distributing  such  commodities  to  them  shall  be
  deemed  to  be  expenditures for the administration of public assistance
  and care  and  shall  be  subject  to  reimbursement  by  the  state  in
  accordance with the provisions of section one hundred fifty-three to the
  extent of one hundred percentum thereof.