If you're pregnant or recently gave birth, you may qualify for multiple food assistance programs in New York. Two of the most important are the HRSN meal program and WIC. Here's how they compare and whether you can use both.
What Is WIC?
WIC (Women, Infants & Children) is a federal nutrition program that provides monthly food benefits via an EBT card, plus nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services. WIC is available to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet income requirements.
What Is the HRSN Meal Program?
The HRSN program, available through New York's Medicaid waiver, provides 21 freshly cooked home-delivered meals per week for Medicaid-enrolled pregnant and postpartum women. Unlike WIC, you don't shop for food — meals are cooked and delivered directly to your door twice a week.
Key Differences
- WIC gives you money to buy food. HRSN delivers cooked meals to your door
- WIC covers children up to age 5. HRSN is for the mother during pregnancy and first 12 months postpartum
- WIC requires income verification. HRSN only requires NY Medicaid enrollment
- Both are completely free
Can You Use Both at the Same Time?
Yes — absolutely. WIC and the HRSN meal program are entirely separate programs with different funding. Being enrolled in one has zero effect on the other. Many families in New York use both simultaneously, which makes complete sense — WIC helps with groceries while HRSN delivers ready-to-eat meals for days when cooking isn't possible.
Bottom Line
If you qualify for both, enroll in both. There's no reason not to. WIC offices in New York can help you enroll in WIC. For HRSN meals, enroll through Orivia Care — it takes 30 seconds.