N.Y. SOS Law § 94

§ 94. Federal donated commodities. 1. (a) Until his social services\ndistrict has been included in the food stamp distribution program or\nprograms under section ninety-five, each commissioner of social services\nis authorized and required, in accordance with regulations of the\ndepartment, to assist needy families and individuals of his social\nservices district to obtain federal donated commodities for their use,\nby certifying, when such is the case, that they are eligible to receive\nsuch commodities, and by distributing such commodities to eligible\nfamilies and individuals. However, only those who are receiving or are\neligible for public assistance or care and such others as may qualify in\naccordance with federal requirements and standards promulgated by the\ndepartment shall be certified as eligible to receive such commodities.\n (b) Each commissioner of social services shall develop and submit to\nthe department for its approval a plan describing his district's\noperations under this section, which plan shall accord with federal and\nstate requirements.\n 2. Federal donated commodities shall not be deemed or construed to be\npublic assistance and care or a substitute, in whole or in part,\ntherefor; and the receipt of such commodities by eligible families and\nindividuals shall not subject them, their legally responsible relatives,\ntheir property or their estates to any demand, claim or liability on\naccount thereof.\n 3. A person's need or eligibility for public assistance or care shall\nnot be affected by his receipt of federal donated commodities.\n 4. Any inconsistent provisions of law notwithstanding, expenditures\nmade by social services districts for the purpose of certifying\neligibility of needy families and individuals for federal donated\ncommodities and for distributing such commodities to them shall be\ndeemed to be expenditures for the administration of public assistance\nand care and shall be subject to reimbursement by the state in\naccordance with the provisions of section one hundred fifty-three to the\nextent of one hundred percentum thereof.\n