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Replacement period for food stamps lost during storm extended
Community members who rely on food stamps now have until Nov. 6, Wednesday, to have their food stamps and/or food lost during the recent typhoon replaced.
The Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the request of Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Robert H. Hunter, to extend the 10-day requirement to up to 30 days, or by Nov. 6, 2019, for Nutrition Assistance Program recipients on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
The approval allows NAP recipients to ask for a replacement of destroyed NAP coupons and/or food purchased with NAP coupons that have been destroyed as a result of Super Typhoon Hagibis that passed through the Marianas last Oct. 7 to 8.
Based on the FNS approval, 50%, or up to $484,530 of the total October benefits issued from Sept. 26 through Oct. 4, 2019, may be requested for replacement by NAP recipients on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
In the approval letter dated Oct. 18 sent to Hunter by USDA FNS regional administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr., the CNMI must notify the eligible households of the extended reporting period, which should specify the new reporting period and the requirements for replacement eligibility.
Eligible households will be notified via email or in person.
