Am Samoa looking at another round of stimulus “direct payments”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The moso’oi wireless was going wild well before the actual news of the $1,400 stimulus checks for American Samoa residents hit the Territory, with the signing of the $1.9 trillion relief package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, Wednesday, Mar. 10th, and sent to President Biden to be signed into law on Friday, Mar. 12th.

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said in a press release yesterday that American Samoa can now expect a second straight year of record federal funding in 2021 — up to an approximate $511 million in special funding and a new education investment of up to $150 million in American Samoa.

While noting direct COVID relief and vaccine assistance (after all it’s called the ‘virus relief’ bill)  and that there will also be major new funding for education, Amata announced what local residents have been excited about — “the direct payments to individuals of $1,400.”

Amata said it “will begin going out shortly after the bill officially becomes law.”

Samoa News should point out that some local residents have been confusing this round of stimulus checks of $1,400 with the $600 one currently being disbursed in the Territory.

The territory’s Treasury department has made no announcements concerning this stimulus funding (of $1,400), as the bill that has not even been signed into law yet.

According to The AP, the legislation provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000.

The size of the check would shrink for those making slightly more, with a hard cut-off at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.

Most Americans will be getting the full amount, The AP says. The median household income was $68,703 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Biden said payments would start going out this month.

Samoa News points out that the same could be said for American Samoa residents, who qualify, too — that most will be getting the full amount. However, it will depend on what final arrangements will be made for local disbursement.

Congresswoman Amata said in her press release that Congress allocated over $2 billion to be divided among four insular area governments (American Samoa, Guam, CNMI, USVI) resulting in an estimate of up to $511 million for American Samoa. 

“My priority has been equitable treatment with the states, as expressed in my letters to President Biden and Chairman Manchin, and working together the territories have had success,” she said.

Specifically, Amata stated, “Congress set aside $850 million for the U.S. Secretary of Education to disperse in school grants among the Insular areas. American Samoa’s K-12 school system will be eligible for up to an approximate $150 million for school improvement grants from these funds, including infrastructure. Separately, ASCC will qualify for improvements and funding as well.”

She continued, “Small business programs will soon have additional support, along with various programs through ASG, such as nutrition assistance, qualified unemployment assistance and other federal grants.”

Congress also allocated $7 billion nationwide for broadband deployment and improvements in rural or economically challenged areas. 

 “Congress allocates funds, then the various federal departments and agencies will be more specific in the distribution,” Amata continued.

This is the sixth COVID relief and economic aid bill passed by Congress since March 2020, according to the congresswoman.