Hundreds of people lined up at the Samoa National Provident Fund offices on Monday to get their hands on the cash payout of the four per cent dividend announced last week.

Offices at the headquarters in Apia and Vaitele were packed with lines extending out of the doors. At the headquarters, security officers had to lock the entrance of the Information Technology office and allow two or three people in at a time as the office was filled.

Inside, people jumped lines and chaos ensued as some pushed their way to the counter. Some had forgotten their passwords for the mobile app and online portal while others had yet to register for it.

The dividend payout can only be accessed via the online portal.

Telesia Iakopo, who has been a contributor for more than a decade said this was one of the things she looks forward to every year as it helped with her children's school needs and family and church commitments.

"Couldn't come at a better time. We have so many commitments not only with family but with church as well. I have a sister who is serving the Lord with her husband, and this year they will be going to a new village which requires a lot of things," she said. 

"We will be taking her to meet their new village where they will serve for the next six years and it is a big deal for both families. This is a better help for me, as it helps with my contribution to our family faalavelave and with my four children's back to school." 

For Arnold Tuaefu, it is his first time to register on the SNPF portal and he finds it a bit challenging as he is not technology savvy.

"As you can see, I have a keypad phone. The only thing I do with my phone is answer phone calls or make them. I'm not familiar with this online portal but I hear from my colleagues it's more convenient and doesn't require me to stand in line at SNPF," he said. 

"So that's why I'm here to do it. I have been working for at least 12 years, I don't earn much but I am still able to provide for my family. This dividend will help me and my family a lot."

There were more than 20 people who were lined outside the office in Vaixtele and more were inside. Around noon, the Bank of the South Pacific in Vaitele was packed with people while som lining up at the ATM machines. 

The Samoa National Provident Fund has declared a four per cent dividend payout worth $43 million to its contributors to be rolled as cash from Monday.

The Minister of Finance Lautimuia Uelese Vaai made the announcement last Thursday afternoon. The Minister said this was a move to support families during back-to-school preparations.

The announcement was made following a meeting with the CEO of the Fund.