There are concerns in American Samoa that the 13 percent cut in food stamp benefits will hit some families hard.
Under the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program, children, nursing mothers, the elderly and disabled get monthly food vouchers.
But from next month cuts of as much as 21 US dollars a month will be made.
The American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services says the cuts have been forced on them by a 5 percent reduction in federal funding.
Our correspondent, Monica Miller, says many families in the territory rely heavily on food stamps.
Many families have come to depend on these monthly food vouchers for there basic needs. The cost of living has gone up in American Samoa and just buying things like milk, sugar and rice just does not go very far and now with this cut, I know that families are really going to feel the pinch.
Monica Miller says local stores will also feel an impact.
