$9M worth of food stamps in 2014

The local food stamp program, called Nutrition Assistance Program, issued a total of $9.09 million worth of benefits last year, according to NAP administrator Walter Macaranas.

The amount is divided among Saipan, Rota, Tinian, and the Northern Islands. A total of $8.07 million was issued for Saipan, $482,317 went to Tinian, $513,875 went to Rota, and $17,932 was issued for the Northern Islands.

Macaranas also noted that beneficiaries on Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands were able to get bigger amounts, mainly due to increased food stamp funds allocated for the three jurisdictions last year.

“The total level of benefits issued in April 2014 compared to May 2014 increased to about 32 percent on Tinian, 76 percent on Rota, and 160 percent in the Northern Islands,” he said.

In a letter dated April 7, 2014, to Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Laura T. Ogumoro, U.S Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Western Region Office regional administrator Jesus Mendoza Jr. wrote that CNMI NAP was approved to use the projected fiscal year 2014 carryover funds to increase the “basis of issuance” on Tinian and Rota by 28 percent while the Northern Islands had a 62-percent increase beginning in May.

A reevaluation was later made whether these increases would continue during the fiscal year 2015 negotiations.

“The result of the negotiations in July 15 to 16 concluded the increases would continue in fiscal year 2015,” Macaranas said.

The local food stamp program is under the umbrella of the DCCA.

Subsequently, on Dec. 5, 2014, USDA-FNS allowed DCCA to increase the basis of issuance for Saipan between 10 and 16 percent. DCCA opted to take the 16 percent, which then took effect on Jan. 1, 2015, Macaranas said.

One food stamp beneficiary told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the increase is of great use for his family, which consists of six members.

Pilot program

Macaranas said that Section 4031 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 has a provision for a CNMI SNAP Pilot Program requiring the USDA secretary to conduct a two-year feasibility study to assess the capabilities of the CNMI to operate the SNAP program in a similar manner as the program is operated in the United States or alternate models of SNAP operation and benefit delivery that best meet the nutrition assistance needs of the CNMI.

“If the secretary determines that a pilot program is feasible, the secretary shall establish a pilot program for the CNMI to operate the SNAP program or SNAP-like models in the same manner. The secretary may use to establish and carry out the pilot program in federal costs in providing technical assistance, authorizing and monitoring retail food stores, and assessing pilot operations of not more than $13.5 million in fiscal year 2016 and $8.5 million for each of fiscal year 2017 and 2018,” he said.

In related news, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), in an email to Saipan Tribune, said that President Barrack Obama’s budget for fiscal year 2016 includes the annual $12.148 million in funds for NAP.

“This is the increased annual amount I secured beginning in 2009. Additionally, through my work on the Agriculture Committee, $13.5 million from the national SNAP was authorized to be used for benefits in the NMI in fiscal year 2016 by the Agricultural Act of 2014,” Sablan said.

So altogether CNMI can expect almost $26 million available for NMI food stamps during the fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1.

“We are working with the DOA here in Washington, D.C. to make sure that money can be used promptly, once appropriated by Congress, to raise benefits for people in the NMI who need help feeding their families,” Sablan said.