(1) Veteran assistance must be administered in accordance with the provisions of law and the regulations of the office governing the administration of safety net assistance (SNA).

(2) Veteran assistance will be granted only in New York City and in those counties, cities and towns in which:

(3) Veteran assistance will not be treated as a distinct category of assistance for any purpose unless the conditions stated in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (2) are met.

(1) When administration of other categories of public assistance and care is authorized by subdivision 5 of section 173 of the Social Services Law, such categories must be administered in accordance with the regulations of the office applicable to the administration of such programs.

(2) Veteran assistance divisions authorized to administer other categories of public assistance and care, and divisions serving non-veterans, must inform veterans and their dependents who are eligible to receive public assistance and care of their right to receive such care in either the veteran assistance division or the division serving non-veterans. The choice of the recipient determines the division in which he or she will be served.