(a) For the purposes of this section and sections 17b-131, 17b-191 to 17b-193, inclusive, 17b-195, 17b-197 and 17b-198, (1) an “employable person” means one (A) who is sixteen years of age or older but less than sixty-five years of age; and (B) who has no documented physical or mental impairment prohibiting such person from working or participating in an education, training or other work-readiness program, or who has such an impairment which is expected to last less than two months, as determined by the commissioner; (2) an “unemployable person” means a person who (A) is under sixteen years of age or sixty-five years of age or older or fifty-five years of age or older with a history of chronic unemployment; (B) has a physical or mental impairment prohibiting such person from working or participating in an education, training or other work-readiness program, which is expected to last at least six months, as determined by the commissioner; (C) is pending receipt of supplemental security income, Social Security income or financial assistance through another program administered by the Department of Social Services; (D) is needed to care for a child under two years of age or to care for an incapacitated child or spouse; (E) is a full-time high school student in good standing; or (F) is a VISTA volunteer; and (3) a “transitional person” means one (A) who has a documented physical or mental impairment which prevents employment and is expected to last at least two months, but less than six months, as determined by the commissioner, and who has a recent connection to the labor market, unless circumstances precluded participation in the labor force, as determined by the commissioner; or (B) whose determination of unemployability or disability, as defined by the commissioner, is pending and who provides medical documentation of a severe physical or mental impairment which is expected to last at least six months. A person who is a substance abuser shall be required to participate in treatment, including counseling, and shall be eligible for assistance while waiting for treatment.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services, when making determinations concerning disabilities or impairments which are expected to last a period of six months or longer in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, shall make such determinations based on the recommendations made by a medical review team.