(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17b-190, 17b-195 and 17b-196, the Commissioner of Social Services shall operate a state-administered general assistance program in accordance with this section and sections 17b-131, 17b-193, 17b-194, 17b-197 and 17b-198. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, on and after October 1, 2003, no town shall be reimbursed by the state for any general assistance medical benefits incurred after September 30, 2003, and on and after March 1, 2004, no town shall be reimbursed by the state for any general assistance cash benefits or general assistance program administrative costs incurred after February 29, 2004.

(b) The state-administered general assistance program shall provide cash assistance of (1) two hundred dollars per month for an unemployable person upon determination of such person’s unemployability; (2) two hundred dollars per month for a transitional person who is required to pay for shelter; and (3) fifty dollars per month for a transitional person who is not required to pay for shelter. The standard of assistance paid for individuals residing in rated boarding facilities shall remain at the level in effect on August 31, 2003. No person shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program if eligible for cash assistance under any other state or federal cash assistance program. The standards of assistance set forth in this subsection shall be subject to annual increases, as described in subsection (b) of § 17b-104.

(c) To be eligible for cash assistance under the program, a person shall (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older; (B) a minor found by a court to be emancipated pursuant to § 46b-150; or (C) under eighteen years of age and the commissioner determines good cause for such person’s eligibility, and (2) not have assets exceeding two hundred fifty dollars or, if such person is married, such person and his or her spouse shall not have assets exceeding five hundred dollars. In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall not consider as income (A) Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran, as defined in § 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran; and (B) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds. No person who is a substance abuser and refuses or fails to enter available, appropriate treatment shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program until such person enters treatment. No person whose benefits from the temporary family assistance program have terminated as a result of time-limited benefits or for failure to comply with a program requirement shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program.

(d) Prior to or upon discontinuance of assistance, a person previously determined to be a transitional person may petition the commissioner to review the determination of his or her status. In such review, the commissioner shall consider factors, including, but not limited to: (1) Age; (2) education; (3) vocational training; (4) mental and physical health; and (5) employment history and shall make a determination of such person’s ability to obtain gainful employment.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or § 17b-194, a victim of domestic violence, as defined in § 17b-112a, who is not eligible for diversion assistance under the provisions of § 17b-112g, shall be eligible for a one-time assistance payment under the state-administered general assistance program within resources available to the Department of Social Services. Such payment shall be equivalent to that which such victim would be entitled to receive as diversion assistance if such victim and his or her family, if any, were eligible for diversion assistance. In determining whether and in what amount a victim of domestic violence and his or her family are eligible for a one-time assistance payment pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner shall not include as a member of such victim’s family the spouse, domestic partner or other household member credibly accused of domestic violence by such victim, nor shall the commissioner count the income or assets of such a spouse, domestic partner or other household member. For purposes of this subsection, allegations of domestic violence may be substantiated by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of § 17b-112a, and “family” has the same meaning as used in § 17b-112, except as otherwise provided in this subsection.