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CNMI nutrition program faces steep funding uncertainty; EBT card rollout planned for October
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Summary
Department officials told lawmakers that NAP funding could fall from a projected $56 million to a more assured $34.8 million for FY2026, and that officials plan to lower benefit amounts per household rather than reduce caseload.
The Commonwealth Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) faces a likely reduction in federal funding for the coming fiscal year, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs officials told the House Ways and Means committee on July 17.
Officials said USDA Food and Nutrition Service funding that supported higher benefit levels in prior months may not be available at the same level for FY2026. The department’s presentation showed a fiscal-year projection that had reached $56 million in total funding for the current year because of supplemental sources; committee testimony said USDA had indicated it would assure roughly $34,812,000 for FY2026.
Why it matters: NAP provides monthly food benefits to thousands of households in Saipan, Tinian and Rota; program staff said current benefit issuance runs about $3.9–4.0 million per month. A drop to the assured level would require the program to reduce benefit amounts per household rather than exclude recipients, department officials said.
Officials described recent fluctuations in funding in detail. NAP staff said the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) initially authorized roughly $34.8 million for FY2025 and later provided additional monthly letters of credit and a supplemental payment that temporarily raised available benefit funds. Program staff said the monthly benefits being issued currently total about $4 million.
Program staff also outlined operational changes: NAP is testing an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, and officials said the EBT card is scheduled to go live in October. Staff noted that EBT reduces transaction costs for retailers and program administrators compared with paper coupons.
Committee members and officials discussed options if funding falls: officials said the likely approach would be to maintain eligibility thresholds and reduce benefit levels per recipient rather than reduce the number of households served. Committee members also raised questions about converting NAP to SNAP; officials said converting would create a local matching requirement that the Commonwealth may not be able to meet.
No formal vote took place; the committee recorded the testimony as it considers FY2026 appropriations.
