With some Saipan residents camping outside the Certification Unit overnight to secure a spot in line, Nutrition Assistance Program officials have extended the Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program intake period and urged applicants to arrive with complete documents as daily crowds continue to exceed capacity.
NAP administrators said the agency is now processing up to 600 applicants per day, a cap introduced to prevent residents from waiting eight to 10 hours or lining up the night before intake begins. “We are overwhelmed, but we’re doing a good job,” NAP Administrator Margarita Aldan said, noting that federal oversight officials supported the cap and the extension.
The surge has strained staff and volunteers, who are managing prescreening, certification, crowd control, and EBT issuance. NAP Administrative Manager Annie Reyes said incomplete applications remain the biggest delay. “Bring your documents — that’s what slows down the process,” she said, adding that NAP provides free printing for residents who cannot afford copies.
DNAP requires verification of income, bank statements, receipts, and expenses covering April 11 to May 10. Aldan said the agency keeps incomplete applications and follows up by phone rather than sending residents back into line. Fewer than 20 applications have been denied so far, mostly due to income or resource ineligibility.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the intake extension through July 22, following disruptions caused by recent weather systems and heavy turnout on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. DNAP benefits for non‑NAP households expire Sept. 30.
Aldan also clarified that DNAP and regular NAP cannot be received simultaneously, but DNAP applicants who later lose work or have reduced hours may apply for regular NAP. “If they feel that they qualify, they can come in and apply after the DNAP,” she said. “But be mindful that we don’t look at citizenship status for DNAP, but for NAP, we do.”
Administrators urged residents to rely on official information and avoid confusion circulating in the community. “The best thing to do is to either come here or call us,” Aldan said.
