Swains Island
Swains Island covers about 1 square mile of American Samoa.
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Where to find things
- American Samoa land recordsProperty records · Plats
The Territorial Registrar records land titles, deeds and matai title matters. Most land in American Samoa is communal family land, so registration follows the family, not a lot number.
- American Samoa Department of CommerceZoning · Building permits
Takes land use permit, building permit and zoning applications for all of American Samoa (zoning variances go to the Zoning Board of American Samoa) and runs the territory's GIS program.
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- American Samoa Department of Commerce: land use, building permit and zoning applicationsThe Department of Commerce takes land use and building permit applications and zoning applications for all of American Samoa.
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Farm wetland rules for USDA program participants. Before you drain, fill or clear a wet area in a farm field, ask NRCS at your local USDA Service Center for a wetland determination.
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- American Samoa Environmental Protection AgencyThe territory's environmental agency: water quality, wastewater, earthmoving and the permits that go with them.
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, USDA Farm Service AgencyHow the Conservation Reserve Program works, which sign-ups are open and what it pays. You enroll land in CRP at your county Farm Service Agency office at the local USDA Service Center.
- NRCS highly erodible land determinationsHow NRCS decides whether a farm field is highly erodible land, which affects USDA program eligibility and conservation plans. Requests go to NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterFlood zones
Official source for flood insurance rate maps. Enter an address to see the current flood zone and download the FIRM panel and letters of map change.
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- FEMA Disaster DeclarationsSearch federal disaster and emergency declarations by state, county and incident to see whether an area was declared and what assistance was authorized.
- FEMA Increased Cost of ComplianceFlood insurance coverage that helps pay to elevate, relocate, demolish or floodproof a substantially damaged building.
- USGS map of public and protected landPublic land
National map of federal, state, local and other public and protected land from the U.S. Geological Survey Protected Areas Database (PAD-US).
- American Samoa food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Learn about American Samoa's Nutrition Assistance Program, a food benefit run by the Department of Human and Social Services for low-income elderly, blind and disabled residents. Contact the department to apply and check current eligibility.
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- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewUnemployment benefits
Find the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- USAGov help with energy billsHeating and utility bill assistance
Learn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- American Samoa WIC programWIC nutrition help
Official American Samoa WIC site run by the Department of Human and Social Services, with WIC food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and clinic contacts.
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- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingRent help and public housing
Learn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- HUD Find ShelterEmergency shelter and eviction help
Search for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceCash assistance (TANF)
Learn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- Child support helpChild support services
Learn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- Eldercare LocatorSenior services and aging
Federal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- American Samoa Office of Vocational RehabilitationDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOVeterans benefits help
Find a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- Find unclaimed money from the governmentUnclaimed money
Learn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- American Samoa consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
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- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideDisaster recovery assistance
Official disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Swains Island offices
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
About Swains Island
Swains Island covers about 1 square mile of American Samoa. It is not one of the territory's three districts: the Census Bureau counts it as an island outside the districts, in place of a county. Land in American Samoa is mostly communal family land rather than individually owned lots. The Territorial Registrar records land titles and family land matters, and the Treasury Tax Office handles territorial taxes.