Additional benefits from ASNAP
By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua
Email: tupua@opi.as.gov
The American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) has announced that it has received additional benefits for one year starting in October 2022. The additional assistance will be paid through a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which was announced through a News Release by Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean, at the beginning of the month. Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefaatasi John Suiala said, the purpose of the grant is to address food insecurity and provide more equitable resources for American Samoa
A press statement from the Department of Human and Social Services to the media says following approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), ASNAP is now allowed to use the additional $10 million ARPA grant to Increase monthly benefit allotments for all ASNAP participants to $277 from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, as follows:
· $100 increase for participants who are currently receiving $177
· $128 increase for participants who are currently receiving $149
· $150 increase for participants who are currently receiving $127
· $168 increase for participants who are currently receiving $109
· $183 increase for participants who are currently receiving $94.
ASNAP will also Issue an additional $208 in monthly benefits to one additional family member, for up to 1,080 families of the lowest income ASNAP recipients, therefore raising their total monthly benefits from $277 to $485. Moreover, the issuance of ASNAP benefits for the new fiscal year, starting October 3, 2022, may be delayed until we receive our supply of special coupon paper to print food coupons. The shortage of raw paper products in the United States as a result of the global supply chain constraints is also impacting the supply of special coupon paper for the ASNAP. However, if our partial supply that has already left the factory arrives via airfreight on Saturday, October 1, 2022, the office will proceed with the issuance of ASNAP benefits by alphabetical order on Monday, October 3, 2022.