Another mother with one child said their food stamp benefits went down to $82 from $135 due to the new policy.
Both mothers said the situation is troubling as there is no sign that the tourism-based economy of the CNMI will improve, which means more people will seek welfare, thereby, reducing each one’s share.
NAP, which is under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, said the new policy will take effect until further notice.
“Due to increase in number of food stamp recipients (participants), NAP lacks the necessary funds to cover this increase, therefore, your benefit level will be reduced by 34.6 percent starting May 1, 2011 until further notice. Thank you for your understanding,” NAP Administrator Eleanor Cruz said in an announcement.
Close to 10,000 residents received food stamp benefits as of last year.
It was not immediately known how many more were added to the list as of this month.
DCCA Secretary Melvin Faisao could not be immediately reached for comments.
The USDA has been giving the CNMI $12 million for NAP since 2009.
In 2005, the CNMI’s NAP budget was just $8.4 million, records from the USDA showed.
NAP is funded through a block grant and has been implemented in the islands since 1982.
