(a) The Commissioner of Social Services, within available appropriations, shall establish a food assistance program for individuals entering the United States prior to April 1, 1998, whose immigrant status meets the eligibility requirements of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, but who are no longer eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance solely due to their immigrant status under Public Law 104-193. Individuals who enter the United States after April 1, 1998, must have resided in the state for six months prior to becoming eligible for the state program. The commissioner may administer such program in accordance with the provisions of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program, except those pertaining to the determination of immigrant status under Public Law 104-193.

(b) The commissioner shall provide assistance to an individual under this section in an amount equal to seventy-five per cent of the amount the individual would be eligible to receive under the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended.

(c) The commissioner shall terminate assistance under this section to any individual whose federal supplemental nutrition assistance benefits have been restored.

(d) The commissioner shall implement the policies and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days after implementation. Such policies and procedures shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.