Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a press release issued by the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS), director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS), approved ASG’s request to issue temporary monthly emergency allotments for participants of the ASNAP (Food Stamp Program) and the COVID-19 Nutrition Assistance Program (COVID NAP).

These monthly emergency allotments will be provided from March 1 to September 30, 2021 through a short-term program called the COVID-19 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (COVID-SNAP) funded by a $2.4 million allocation from an appropriation for nutrition assistance.

This is in response to a COVID-19 public health emergency for American Samoa, CNMI and Puerto Rico under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

COVID- SNAP will temporarily increase by 34.5% the maximum monthly benefit allotment, from $139 to $187, for current participants as follows:

• ASNAP recipients now receiving $56 will receive an additional $131 in emergency allotments for a total of $187 each month.

• ASNAP recipients now receiving $71 will receive an additional $116 in emergency allotments for a total of $187 each month.

• ASNAP recipients now receiving $89 will receive an additional $98 in emergency allotments for a total of $187 each month.

• ASNAP recipients now receiving $111 will receive an additional $76 in emergency allotments for a total of $187 each month.

• ASNAP and COVID-NAP participants now receiving $139 will receive an additional $48 in emergency allotments for a total of $187 each month.

Emergency allotments for the month of March will be included in benefits for the month of April. For example, starting Thursday, April 1, 2021, a person who is now receiving monthly benefits of:

• $56 will receive emergency allotments of $131 for March and $131 for April for a total of $318 and $187 monthly from May to September 2021.

• $71 will receive emergency allotments of $116 for March and $116 for April for a total of $303 and $187 monthly from May to September 2021.

• $89 will receive emergency allotments of $98 for March and $98 for April for a total of $285 and $187 monthly from May to September 2021.

• $111 will receive emergency allotments of $76 for March and $76 for April for a total of $263 and $187 monthly from May to September 2021.

• $139 will receive emergency allotments of $48 for March and $48 for April for a total of $235 and $187 monthly from May to September 2021.

These increases in monthly benefits will not only provide much- needed additional nutrition assistance for American Samoa’s vulnerable population but will also infuse over $2 million dollars in new monies into our local economy.

Director Muavaefa’atasi extends his sincere fa’afetai tele and appreciation to the USDA FNS Western Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Director Charles Tobin, Lead Program Specialist Barbara Utuchian and all their colleagues at the national and regional offices for their approval of our request and continued support of our services for our people.

The COVID-SNAP will be administered by the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP), a division of DHSS. ASNAP, COVID NAP and COVID-SNAP benefits will be distributed starting Thursday, April 1, 2021 by alphabetical order for ease of distribution.

The following is the schedule for benefit mass issuance for the month of April: 


• Thursday, April 1, 2021 – F

• Friday, April 2, 2021 – Office closed in observance of Good Friday

• Monday, April5,2021–G,H,I,J,K

• Tuesday, April 6, 2021 – L

• Wednesday, April 7, 2021 – M

• Thursday, April 8, 2021 – N, O, P, Q, R

• Friday, April 9, 2021 – S

* Monday, April 12, 2021 – T

* Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – U, V, W, X, Y, Z

* Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – A

* Thursday, April 15, 2021 – B, C, D, E

* Friday, April 16 to Friday, April 30, 2021 – OPEN to all participants