2 May 2009

American Samoa's Faleomavaega introduces SSI progamme

1:09 pm on 2 May 2009

The American Samoan member of the US Congress, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, has introduced a federal measure to extend the Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, programme to the territory.

If enacted, it will make U.S. nationals and U.S. citizens living in American Samoa, who are blind, aged or disabled, eligible for cash payments.

Currently, the SSI is paid only to individuals living in the mainland and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

Faleomavaega says extending the SSI program to American Samoa will provide tremendous help for families struggling to make ends meet, especially under the current economic downturn.