SAIPAN — The Commonwealth will go live with Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) on November 1, 2025, replacing paper coupons with debit-style cards for thousands of families.
“This marks a proud and historic moment for the Commonwealth,” Governor David M. Apatang said. “This milestone signifies more than a technological upgrade. It symbolizes progress, accountability, and our ongoing commitment to better serve our people. The transition to the EBT card modernizes how food benefits are delivered, providing a system that is faster, safer, and more convenient for families, while also ensuring greater efficiency and security for retailers. This launch reflects our broader vision to modernize government services, promote transparency, and strengthen the way we support our community.”
Officials said the transition will improve convenience for recipients and accountability for retailers, covering more than 5,500 households and nearly 14,000 individuals enrolled in NAP.
“This transition from paper coupons to electronic benefit transfer cards was certainly a big, huge step for the CNMI as it will improve the efficiency, accountability, and more importantly, the strengthens to how we deliver services to our community,” DCCA Secretary Frank M. Rabauliman said.
Cards will be picked up in person on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and will not be mailed. Benefits will load during the first five working days of each month based on the last digit of the NAP ID. Recipients must present a photo ID and their NAP ID at checkout.
NAP Administrator Margarita “Maggie” Torres-Aldan said one of her major goals when she became administrator in July 2023 was to implement the EBT system after she learned how coupons were prepared and distributed, the long lines at distribution, and the amount of time and effort the old system required.
The cards will be accepted at approved retailers across the CNMI, identified by a published list and storefront decals. Officials noted there are about 112 approved retailers on Saipan and 12 on Rota; only a handful did not transition to EBT.
NAP issues roughly $3.9 million in food benefits per month. Moving to EBT is expected to reduce administrative costs, including printing and redemption, which previously ran about $500,000 per year for paper coupons.
