Emergency food assistance extended

Due to the high number of individuals applying for assistance, Emergency Food Assistance Centers on Saipan have extended operations through Monday, Sept. 27.

Residents who suffered losses as a result of Supertyphoon Chaba may apply for emergency food assistance at the centers, located at the former Courthouse in Susupe and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. Hours of operation will be from 8am to 8pm, Sept. 25-27.

The extension was granted early Saturday (Sept. 25) by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Services in response to a request by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Nutrition Assistance Program to extend the operation period.

Residents may qualify if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have substantial disaster-related expenses and or if they have lost income, resources, or their food supply as a result of Chaba.

Determination of eligibility will also be made based on liquid assets, including cash and money in the bank. The resource limit of heads of households under age 55 is $2,000. The resource limit for heads of household age 55 and older is $3,000.

Applicants must provide official identification, Social Security number, verification that they reside in the CNMI (i.e. utility billing, voter’s registration card, entry or work permit, employment contract), verification of income (i.e., last check-stub or earnings document, Social Security benefits, child support, alimony, retirement pension, veterans benefits), verification of resources or liquid assets (i.e., savings passbooks, bank statement or savings and/or checking accounts, latest ATM receipt), verification of disaster-related expenses (i.e., receipts of building material, storm shutters, fuel, generator, hotel stay due to uninhabitable home condition), sketch to permanent residence and temporary residence, if any.

Applications will be audited and reviewed and field studies will be conducted on household cases suspected of fraud violations.

All Emergency Food Assistance disaster coupons must be used no later than Sept. 30, 2004. Eligible items include vegetables, fruits, fish, rice, meat, canned foods, baby formula, milk and other daily products, eggs, drinking water, and bread and other bakery products. Ineligible items include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, soap, detergents, paper products, medicine, cosmetics, toilet tissue, pampers, and betel nut.

NAP recipients in August 2004 may also apply for replacement benefits if their coupons were destroyed due to the typhoon.

Emergency Food Assistance Centers on Tinian and Rota closed last Sept. 24.

For more information, call the Nutrition Assistance Program at 235-9889/90/92.