Hot meals for elderly citizens were suspended for three months because vendors were not paid, some for almost 6 months.
Paopao Paopao, Director of the Territorial Administration on Aging Office which administers the program said paper work held up the payment of invoices for the four vendors providing hot meals for senior citizens. But he reported Monday that checks for two of the vendors have been issued. The other two vendors should receive payment later this week.
One of the vendors told KHJ news that her restaurant was owed more than $100,000 for six months of hot meals.
According to Paopao while the grant for the hot meals was received before the last fiscal year ended, Treasury had not been issue a notice of award by the federal grantor, the US Department of Health and Human Services. He said Treasury informed their office that the funds could not be disbursed without a notice of award. Then the federal government shutdown happened and this delayed the processing of payments for vendors.
According to the Director a change in the processing of payments required that vendors submit their invoices for the hot meals monthly and TAOA processes a contract for payment based on the available funds. Another cause for the delay he pointed out was that they had to work with different contact persons at the US Department of Health and Human services.
Paopao was adamant that the delay was not due to his office not filing requisite reports. He said his office was up to date with reporting requirements for disbursement of the federal grant that pays for the hot meals.
According to the director just 534 elderly citizens are served under the Hot Meal program, three times a week,
The vendors for the Hot Meal program are Emilio’s, Shan J, Nighthwak and Tauvale for Aunuu.
