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American Samoa Government - PR001-05212026
Posted: May 21, 2026
Governor Pulaali’i Highlights Historic ASNAP EBT Launch as Major Milestone for American Samoa
UTULEI, American Samoa — A major step forward for the Territory was marked as the Department of Human and Social Services officially launched the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system yesterday morning, representing a significant advancement in modernizing public assistance services for the people of American Samoa. The event and program launch details were outlined during the official ASNAP EBT launch ceremony.
The launch ceremony was attended by Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula, members of the Legislature, selected ASNAP recipients, DHSS/ASNAP staff, and invited guests. In his special remarks, Governor Pulaali’i expressed appreciation to the Department of Human and Social Services for their commitment and dedication in continuously seeking ways to improve and make services more convenient for eligible ASNAP recipients.
"I am so grateful to be part of this monumental occasion," Governor Pulaali'i shared. The Governor also thanked the many departments, staff members, partners, and previous administrations whose efforts over the years contributed to making the transition a reality. Governor Pulaali’i emphasized that ASNAP has played a critical role in the Territory for more than three decades.
"For over 30 years, ASNAP has played a vital role in addressing food insecurity and providing for our people," Governor Pulaali'i stated. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that assistance programs continue evolving to better meet the needs of families and vulnerable populations throughout the Territory. Governor Pulaali’i stated that this achievement reflects the Territory’s broader commitment toward modernization and ensuring government services continue adapting to better serve the people of American Samoa.
The transition from traditional paper coupons to Electronic Benefit Transfer cards marks a new era of convenience, efficiency, security, and improved service delivery. The implementation of EBT provides recipients with easier and more accessible ways to receive benefits while improving program administration and reducing reliance on paper-based systems.
During the ceremony, Governor Pulaali'i had the honor of testing the new EBT system and issuing the first ASNAP EBT cards to selected recipients. He also took time to acknowledge and thank recipients for their continued participation and commitment to accessing ASNAP benefits throughout the years.
The American Samoa Government extends its congratulations to DHSS - ASNAP Division, and all agencies, partners, and individuals who contributed to the successful rollout of this program. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a meaningful milestone that strengthens service delivery and improves access for the people of American Samoa.
This achievement marks not only a technological advancement, but also a continued investment in the wellbeing of families and communities throughout the Territory.
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Fa’ailogaina e le Kovana se talafa’asolopito o le fa’alauiloaina o le ASNAP EBT, ua avea ma se la’asaga fou ua ausia e Amerika Samoa
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa — Ua fa’ailogaina se la’asaga maoa’e mo le aga’i luma o le Teritori, na tapena i ai le Matāgaluega o Alāmanuia mo Tagata Lautele, ma o lo’o fa’alauiloa e le vaega o le Porokalama o Fesoasoani i Mea Taumafa (ASNAP), o se faiga fou o le Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), ua fa’ailoa mai ai le maoa’e o le tautua i le lautele mo tagata o Amerika Samoa. O le fa’amoemoe ma fuafuaga uma o lona fa’alauiloaina, na fa’ailo i le taimi na aloa’ia ai le ASNAP EBT.
O lenei fa’amoemoe sa auai atu i ai le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, o sui o le maota fono, sui filifilia o le ASNAP, aufaigaluega o le DHSS/ASNAP, ma mālō vala’aluia. I lana saunoaga, sa ia fa’aalia lona agaga fa’afetai i le Matāgaluega o Alāmanuia mo Tagata Lautele, ona o latou galugea ofo atu atoa ma le tautua fa’aauau, e ala i le sa’ilia o auala e fa’aleleia ma fa’afaigofie ai galuega mo ē o lo’o agava’a i le ASNAP.
“Ou te fa’afetai ina ua ou iai i lenei fa’amoemoe ‘ānoa” O le fa’asoa lea a le Kovana Pulaali’i. Sa fa’afetaia fo’i e le Kovana ia isi Matāgaluega, o sui faigaluega, pā’aga, ma paea’iga ua mavae ona o latou sao i ia tausaga ua mafai ai ona o’o mai i le suiga ua i ai nei.
Na fa’amamafa le saunoaga a le Kovana Pulaali’i i le tāua o matāfaioi a le ASNAP i le Teritori i le silia ma le 30 tausaga. “I le silia ma le 30 tausaga, e tāua le sao a le ASNAP i le fa’ailoa o mea taumafa lē saogalemu, ae fa’apea le lagolago i ō tatou tagata,” e pei ona saunoa le Kovana. Na ia fa’ailogaina le tāua o le fa’amautinoaina o le fa’aauau o porokalama fesoasoani, auā le tuputupua’e o mea lelei, ina ia feso’ota’i ma mana’oga o ‘āiga ma tagata lima vaivai i totonu o le Teritori. Na saunoa fo’i le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i, o lenei fa’amanuiaga e atagia ai le ta’utinoga lautele o le Teritori aga’i i faiga fa’aonaponei, ma fa’amautinoa le fa’aauau o auaunaga a le Mālō, auā ni fetu’una’iga lelei mo le tautuaina o tagata o Amerika Samoa.
O le suiga mai faiga masani o pepa taumafa i le (card), e ta’ua o Electronic Benefit Transfer, e fa’ailogaina ai se vaitau fou ma le faigofie, o faiga atoatoa, puipuia, ma tulaga fa’aleleia o le tufaina atu. O le faʻatinoina o le EBT ua maua ai e i latou o lo’o agava’a i ni auala faigofie, ma auala e mai ai faʻamanuiaga aʻo faʻaleleia atili le pūlega o le porokalama, ma faʻaitiitia le faʻalagolago i pepa e pei ona saua’i mai ai.
Sa tu’uina fo’i le fa’aaloalo i le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i na te fa’ata’ita’ia le masini fou o le EBT, ma tufatufaina (cards) ASNAP EBT i sui filifilia. Sa ia fa’afetaia ma aloa’ia fo’i nei sui filifilia ona o le auai ma o latou loto atoa i le taua’aoina pea o fa’amanuiaga a le ASNAP i ia mau tausaga.
E momoli le fa’amālō a le Mālō o Amerika Samoa i le Matāgaluega o Alāmanuia mo Tagata Lautele — vaega o lo’o nafa ma le fesoasoani i mea taumafa, ma ofisa uma, o pā’aga, ma ē na togi ō latou ma’a, ua fa’amanuiaina ai lenei porokalama. O latou sao e tele ua fua mai ai lenei la’asaga tāua, e fa’amalosia ai le ‘au’aunaga o le tufatufa atu, ma fa’aleleia ai avanoa mo tagata o Amerika Samoa. O lenei fa’amanuiaga e lē na’o le fa’ailogaina o tulaga maoa’e o mea fa’atekonalosi, ae fa’apea fo’i le sao fa’aauau mo le ola manuia o ‘āiga ma le lautele o le atunu’u atoa.
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