§ 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.