Good news from the Department of Human and Social Services.
Director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS), has approved a one-time payment of bonus benefits in the amount of $160 for all recipients of the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) or the Food Stamp Program.
This one-time payment will not only provide supplemental nutrition assistance for our elderly, blind and disabled population but will also infuse close to a million dollars to the local economy.
The $160 bonus payment will be distributed by the ASNAP Division of the Department of Human and Social Services starting Tuesday, September 1, 2020 by alphabetical order for ease of distribution.
Since the one-time payment will be paid using unused funds for the current fiscal year, the bonus food coupons must be spent by or before September 30, 2020.
Director Muavaefa’atasi thanks the Food and Nutrition Service Western Region Administrator Jesus Mendoza and his staff for their continued support of the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) and their understanding of an ongoing need for food assistance for our vulnerable population.
