According to Human and Social Services Director Muavaefaatasi John Suisala, they are serving 3,716 eligible food stamp recipients.
As of 3pm last Tuesday, 3,513 recipients collected their food stamps and their one time $250 bonus for this month.
Director Suisala appeared before the Fono budget hearings earlier this week and fielded questions about the Food Stamp program eligibility criteria, disposition of food stamps not picked up and undisbursed funds at the end of the year.
In order to be eligible, one must be 60 years old or medically determined disabled, have a monthly income of less than $1008, and must be a US citizen or US national. There is no age requirement if disabled.
Non-US citizens/nationals qualify under local Immigration laws which determine residency.Participants must meet all three to be eligible.
Director Suisala further reported that effective October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, the monthly income limit is raised to $1,718 and this will include more seniors whose Social Security payments exceeded the $1008 limit.
DHSS’ budget amount for FY2020 is $25 million and all federally funded.
