There’s just five more days to register for Disaster Relief Food Assistance and the Department of Human and Social Services is encouraging families to sign up before the deadline,
The last day to apply is Monday, October 22nd.
DHSS Director Muavaefaatasi John Suisala says turnout at the five sites on Tutuila and three on Manu’a has been slow.
The department received $500,000 from the US Department of Agriculture for food assistance for victims of Hurricane Gita.
Assistance will be distributed to those who did not receive FEMA money but were impacted by the hurricane.
Its been decided that those in the low income bracket based on the low income table used by DHSS will receive assistance from this grant.
According to Muavaefaatasi a lot of people who showed up had received FEMA assistance so they deided not to apply.
However those who still insist on filing applications were allowed to sign up even though they do nto meet the reuriements.
After the October 22 deadline, DHSS will start revieweing applications for one week and will approve applications for households who meet the eligibility criteria by next weekend.
The DHSs director said if everything goes well they should start issuing benefits on Ocober 30 for two weeks,
Recipients will have two weeks to spend their food coupons.
The determination of benefit level for food coupons per person is based on the final count or total number of qualified household members.
Of the $500,000 received, $70,000 is budgeted for administrative costs and $430,000 will go to benefits in the form of food coupons.
Director Muavaefaatasi says even with publicity on local media outlets and social media the turn out has been “very very low.”
He encourages families to sign up in the remaining five days for this one time only Disaster Relief Food Assistance.
