TAOA Hot Meal Vendors Waiting to Get Paid

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It’s been a long wait for vendors of the Territorial Administration on Aging hot meal program to get paid. And while they’ve been patient, believing since January that they will get partial payment, the vendors say they can no longer remain silent.

Some vendors says they are owed about $50,000 and add while that may not seem like much to a big company, to a small family operation that’s a lot of money.

And without a check from ASG , they have been borrowing to buy food and pay staff who cook the meals that are served to the elderly citizens four times a week.

For several weeks now, KHJ News has been trying to get an official explanation from TAOA regarding the delay, without any success.

Today we told TAOA that we will run our story and if they want their side to be told to please provide it.

Deputy Director Kuresa Paopao said he cannot comment but will try and reach TAOA Director Ale Tifimalae.

As of news time there was no response from the TAOA Director.

Vendors were reluctant to talk with KHJ News because they said TAOA told them not to go to the media.

But two vendors provided information because they said week after week they’ve been told that the money is coming but up to now they’re still waiting.

The vendors said out of their concern for the elderly it’s out of the question for them to halt the hot meals until TAOA pays up.

According to the vendors, they have been able to establish from talking to TAOA that the reason for the delay is because reports that TAOA was to provide for last year to the federal grantor, US Department of Health and Human Services have not been compiled and submitted.

The vendors say TAOA staff were supposed to do this before the Christmas break but those in charge took vacation without submitting the reports.

Unless the reports are sent to the federal grantor, they cannot drawdown funds.

KHJ News asked Budget Director Catherine Saelua if it’s true that the money has been approved by the grantor and it’s only a matter of time before its disbursed.

Saelua explained that there was a problem with the TAOA funding and their office had assisted the agency to compile the report the grantor had requested in order for funds to be drawdown.

The Budget Director said she has not signed off on anything to indicate that they have received money from the grantor.

And she’s not sure if the report that the grantor demands from TAOA has been submitted.

Saelua said that in the past TAOA used to receive the entire grant but under new stipulations the federal funds for TAOA are being drawn on a quarterly basis.

As of today the hot meal vendors have not been paid.

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