§ 300. Declaration of purpose; definitions. 1. Emergency assistance
for aged, blind and disabled persons with emergency needs which, if not
met, would endanger the health, safety and welfare of such persons, is
hereby declared to be a matter of state concern and a necessity in
promoting the public health and welfare, until such time as the federal
supplemental security income program is expanded to meet this federal
responsibility. It is the purpose of this title to provide such
assistance to eligible aged, blind and disabled persons who, in the
circumstances specified in this title, have needs that cannot be met by
the regular monthly benefit under the federal supplemental security
income and additional state payments programs. All efforts should be
undertaken by New York state's congressional delegation to secure such
expansion of the federal program.

2. As used in this title, "aged, blind and disabled persons" means
persons who have been determined to be eligible for or are receiving
federal supplemental security income benefits and/or additional state
payments.

3. As used in this title, the terms "emergency assistance" and
"emergency assistance for aged, blind and disabled persons" mean
payments to meet emergency needs specified in section three hundred
three, made to or for the benefit of persons found to be eligible
therefor, in accordance with this title and the regulations of the
department.

4. As used in this title, "supplemental security income benefits"
means payments made by the secretary of the federal department of
health, education and welfare to aged, blind and disabled persons
pursuant to title sixteen of the social security act.

5. As used in this title, "additional state payments" means payments
by social services districts or by the secretary of the federal
department of health, education and welfare on behalf of the state, to
aged, blind and disabled persons who are receiving, or who would but for
their income be eligible to receive, federal supplemental security
income benefits, made pursuant to title sixteen of the federal social
security act, public law 93-66, and the provisions of this chapter.