NAP Expects 35% Decrease in Benefits

CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program Administrator Margaret Aldan said the program expects a 35% reduction in benefits in Fiscal Year 2026.

“So, for FY 2026, we are informed that we are assured only 34,812,000 as of July 12th. Currently, we are running between 3.9 to 4 million a month for benefit…So, unfortunately, we don't get any additional funding from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. We are looking at about 35% decrease in benefit level,” Aldan told House lawmakers during a budget hearing on Wednesday for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Currently, the CNMI receives about $56 million in federal funding for NAP. The program serves 5,189 households in Saipan, 226 households in Tinian, 180 households in Rota, and 1 household in the Northern Islands. That covers 12,935 participants in Saipan, 536 in Tinian, 692 in Rota, and 2 in the Northern Islands.

DCCA Secretary Frank M. Rabauliman clarified that $20 million of the $56 million came from pandemic and disaster-related funding that was not previously provided.

He added, “If there's going to be a reduction, the plan is, we're going to reduce the benefits and not the income level. So the same number of people are going to be served, but at a reduced benefit amount.”

NAP said they have spoken to U.S. Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds to advocate for the program to continue at the current funding level.