Both the HRSN meal program and SNAP (food stamps) help families access food — but they work very differently. Here's what you need to know.

SNAP (Food Stamps)

  • What it provides: A monthly dollar amount loaded onto an EBT card to purchase groceries at participating stores
  • Who qualifies: Income-eligible households — not limited to Medicaid members or pregnant/postpartum women
  • How you use it: Shop at any SNAP-approved grocery store or farmers market

HRSN Meal Program

  • What it provides: Freshly cooked meals delivered directly to your home — 21 meals per week, twice a week
  • Who qualifies: NY Medicaid members who are pregnant or within 12 months postpartum
  • How you use it: Meals are delivered — no shopping, no cooking required

Can I Use Both at the Same Time?

Yes. SNAP and the HRSN meal program are entirely separate programs with different funding streams. Being enrolled in one does not affect the other. Many families use both simultaneously — SNAP for grocery shopping and HRSN for freshly cooked home-delivered meals.

Which Is Better?

They serve different purposes. SNAP gives you flexibility to buy the foods your family chooses. The HRSN program gives you freshly cooked, ready-to-eat meals delivered to your door — which is especially valuable in the postpartum period when cooking may not be feasible.