CNMI NAP to launch EBT cards

10/21/2025 - CNMI Governor David Apatang announced that the electronic benefit transfer system for the CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program will go live on November 1, 2025. It’s an announcement a decade in the making.

“This marks a proud and historic moment for our Commonwealth,” Apatang said during a press conference alongside Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Frank Rabauliman, NAP Program Administrator Margaret Aldan, and Administrative Manager Annie Reyes.

Recipients will now be able to use a card to purchase items at 112 approved retailers in Saipan, 12 approved retailers in Rota, and 8 in Tinian. NAP announced the EBT card distribution schedule on Facebook last night. 

“A transition to the EBT card modernizes how food beenfits are delivered. Providing a system that is faster, safer, and more convenient for families while also ensuring greater efficiency and security for retailers,” Apatang added.

Secretary Rabauliman said over 5,500 households and close to 14,000 individuals will avail of the new method and system. NAP issues around $3.9 million in benefits every month.

“This transition from paper coupons to electronic benefit transfer cards is certainly a huge step for the CNMI as it will improve the efficiency, ccocuntability, and, more importantly, strengthens how we deliver services to our community,” he said.

Program Adminsitrator Margaret Aldan said the transition cuts cost as paper coupons require more working hours, a printing agent, a redemption agent, and a bank. She said the paper coupons cost them about $500,000 to issue every year.

“[For] accountability, we have a settlement report we can look at on a daily basis for all the transactions of the retailers,” she explained. “We will have access to the daily transaction report of each of the retailers…this is also good…we can provide this information to our Tax and Rev for comparison with what the retailers are submitting.”

When asked how the extended federal government shutdown impacts CNMI NAP, Aldan said there has been no delay in drawdowns this month so far. 

Report by Thomas Manglona II