Construction

For purposes of any Federal, State, or local law other than part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [ 42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] or this chapter—

(A) cash assistance provided under the Project that is designated as food assistance by the State shall be treated in the same manner as benefits allotments under the supplemental nutrition assistance program are treated; and

(B) participating families shall be treated in the same manner as participants in the supplemental nutrition assistance program are treated.

Nothing in this section shall—

(A) allow payments made to the State under the Project to be less than the amounts the State and eligible households within the State would have received if the Project had not been implemented; or

(B) require the Secretary to incur costs as a result of the Project in excess of costs that would have been incurred if the Project had not been implemented, except for costs for evaluation.