DHSS to issue year-end benefits for ASNAP and COVID NAP participants

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) has approved ASG’s request to issue a one-time payment of end-of-year benefits of $245 to all participants of the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) or the Food Stamp Program using unspent funds from the ASNAP current fiscal year budget.

Moreover, USDA FNS approved a second request to issue an additional one-time payment of end-of-year benefits of $158 to all participants of the COVID-19 Nutrition Assistance Program (COVD NAP) and to expand coverage to include ASNAP participants using unspent funds from the COVID NAP current fiscal year budget. The COVID NAP ends September 30, 2021.

The Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala said in a press release issued Tuesday that all ASNAP participants will receive a total of $590 per person in food coupons for the month of September from their regular ASNAP benefits, additional allotments through the COVID SNAP and from the two one-time end-of-year benefits of $245 and $158.

Similarly, all COVID NAP participants will receive a total of $345 per person in food coupons for the month of September from their regular COVID NAP benefits, additional allotments through the COVID SNAP, and the one-time end-of-year benefits of $158.

According to the director, all food coupons must be spent by or before they expire on September 30, 2021.

For distribution information contact DHSS at 684-633-1571.