Kilili: Better food stamp benefits? Just ask

Since my first days in Congress I have been working for better food stamp benefits for people in the Northern Mariana Islands, and particularly for people on Tinian and Rota, where food costs are so high.

Four months after being sworn in I convinced Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to increase food stamp funding for the Northern Mariana Islands by 13.6%. That brought us $1.46 million for 2009 and $12.15 million for 2010 — about $40 more each month for a family of four.

I had to ask Secretary Vilsack for this boost in benefits. Though the Recovery Act, which I voted for in February, included a 13.6% increase for food stamps nationally, the NMI was left out because our food stamp program is based on a separate memorandum of understanding with Agriculture.

Secretary Vilsack needed to reprogram funds within his Department to give the same 13.6% increase to the Northern Marianas, when he agreed to my request. But he was willing to do it, because what I asked was fair.

More can be done to help those who need food stamps. In November and again in January I wrote Governor Fitial, and just this July Acting Governor Inos, recommending improvements in the food stamp MOU, which can be renegotiated at any time, if either party asks.

I recommended higher food stamp benefit rates for Tinian and Rota because food costs more on these islands.

I recommended lifting the cap on food stamp benefits, so if more people needed help the benefits of those already receiving food stamps would not have to be cut.

And I recommended making some national programs apply in the Northern Marianas, too, such as the standard utility allowance because CUC costs are so high.

I also met twice with Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon, who is in charge of the Food and Nutrition Service that negotiates the MOU. I wanted to be sure what I was recommending the Governor ask for was within the realm of possibility.

Under Secretary Concannon told me he was open to negotiation. The CNMI just had to ask.

Unfortunately, the CNMI has not asked.

That’s too bad. Lay-offs and cut hours are only going to lead to greater need, especially for families on Rota and Tinian, who already face inflated food costs.

The Agriculture Department has already shown it will respond to a reasonable request. I got the 13.6% increase.

Under Secretary Concannon has already told me he’s willing to listen.

All the Governor has to do is ask.

— Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
Member of Congress