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NAP still developing eligibility system with contractor
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Nutrition Assistance Program is still working with its new vendor to build an improved eligibility system for the agency.
“We are presently in the contract development process for the eligibility system and that would require several steps to be completed, including completion of a signed contract,” DCCA-NAP administrator Walter Macaranas said.
The creation of the eligibility system will help NAP move into the Electronic Benefits Transfer, where benefits are electronically transferred to a debit card-type system instead of obsolete paper coupons.
According to Macaranas in an earlier interview, much of the work performed to prepare, produce, and distribute benefits is done manually.
Based on December 2013 data, CNMI NAP provided assistance to 3,222 household cases consisting of 8,707 individuals on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Macaranas said the new system will provide timely and accurate fiscal and management reports, documentation, staff user training, and controls and checks to reduce opportunities for fraud and abuse.
According to Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), the technology upgrade will complement the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program study.
“Upgrading the system will help bring the NMI food stamp program in line with SNAP and add the ability to issue benefits using plastic debit cards,” Sablan said.
The recently enacted Agricultural Act of 2014 requires U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the capability of the Northern Marianas to operate SNAP and provides $30.5 million to raise benefits beginning October 2015.
Macaranas said the SNAP program is still in progress and no information can be disclosed until a report is completed.
