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DNAP distributed $9.3M in benefits
The Disaster Nutritional Assistance Program was able to distribute over $9.3 million in benefits to over 15,000 households that applied in response to Super Typhoon Yutu.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Nutritional Assistance Program administrator Walter Macaranas clarified that a total of $9,349,711 in DNAP benefits were distributed to 15,512 households on Saipan and Tinian combined, while 1,516 households were approved for $317,466 in total supplemental benefits were also recorded for both islands.
Specifically, Macaranas noted that 14,833 households on Saipan shared the $8,924,840 in DNAP benefits, while 679 households received a total of $424,871 in DNAP benefits. A total of 1,412 households on Saipan were eligible for supplemental benefits totaling to $298,299 while 104 Tinian households were eligible for a total of $19,167 in supplemental NAP benefits.
Macaranas yesterday told Saipan Tribune that DNAP projections were made based on the 2010 CNMI Census data, which noted a total of 14,406 households on Saipan and 874 households for Tinian.
The DNAP projected issuance was estimated at over $8.19 million for 12,409 qualified households for Saipan and Tinian combined.
While DNAP distributions for both islands exceeded projections, Macaranas noted that 158 DNAP applications were denied due to excess income or excess resources. He said 140 households on Saipan were denied and 18 were denied for Tinian specifically.
Emergency food assistance distributions on Tinian operated from Nov. 15, 2018 through Nov. 21, 2018, while Saipan from Nov. 25, 2018 through Dec. 1, 2018.
“The funding used to disburse the DNAP and Supplemental benefits came from the FY 2018 NAP block grant carryover funds and the [Enhanced Nutritional Assistance Program] grant. In terms of the regular NAP program, operation will continue as usual,” Macaranas noted last Tuesday.
