ASNAP Clients to Receive $100 Bonus

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Recipients of the Food Stamp Program will receive a $100 bonus payment with their vouchers for the month of September.

The good news was announced yesterday by   Director of Human and Social Services Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona.

He  says the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has approved a one-time payment of bonus benefits for all recipients of the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) — generally known as the Food Stamp Program.  

The bonus is $100 and will be received with the monthly food voucher for September.

Taeaoafua said, “Although this is a one-time payment, I am extremely happy that we are able to once again provide this bonus to help our vulnerable population put healthy food on their tables during these hard economic times.”

The bonus will be paid from unused funds approved for ASNAP benefits for Fiscal Year 2016.

The DHSS director says he’s  grateful to the USDA for their understanding of the need of our people. 

Recipients will get their  $100 bonus payment together with their monthly benefit for September.  

Distribution will begin Thursday, September 1st by alphabetical order. 

There will be no distribution this Friday and next Monday due to the ASG workforce day Friday and Labor Day holiday on Monday. 

Changes to the ASNAP schedule are currently aired on 93 KHJ and V103.

DHSS reminds recipients that ASNAP benefits for September MUST be spent before September 30, 2016. 

The American Samoa Nutrition Assistance program currently serves over 4,100 low income elderly, blind and disabled individuals. 

Eligible applicants are issued monthly food coupons in amounts of  $56, $71, $89, $111 and $139 depending on their monthly gross income. 

Almost 50% of recipients are receiving the full benefit level each month. 

The ASNAP provides supplemental nutrition assistance in the form of nutrition education and food coupons to purchase nutritious and healthy foods. 

 

 

 

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