Finding Food Assistance in New York State

Written By Jill Visit

If you're in the Capital Region, Central Region, North Country, Hudson Valley, or Staten Island, on Medicaid, and in need of food assistance, this guide will walk you through local and statewide food assistance resources—including Bento, SNAP, WIC, and more.


Bento

What Is Bento and How Can It Help?

Bento is a program that connects Medicaid members with medically-tailored groceries delivered from nearby stores.

Once enrolled, members choose grocery orders to be delivered directly to their door each week. Bento partners with local grocery stores to ensure members get fresh, nutritious food that supports their health needs, on their schedule. 

The best thing about Bento? There is no cost to members! Bento is provided as a service by your Medicaid health insurance.


How does Bento work?

  • Once enrolled, members can order groceries once a week from their local grocery store

  • Choose from several different healthy orders curated by our Registered Dietitians

  • Bento grocery orders feature items from across the store, including meat, fish, pantry staples, whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruit and more

  • Members choose their order and schedule their weekly delivery in under two minutes



Who Is Eligible for Bento?

You may qualify if you:

  • Are enrolled in Medicaid with a managed care plan.

  • Are a member of an “enhanced population,” which includes high-risk children under 18, pregnant and postpartum mothers, individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, an intellectual or developmental disorder, are enrolled in a Health Home program, or are a high Medicaid user, among others.

  • Experience food insecurity.

Qualification is not tied to immigration status, employment status, or nationality.



How to sign up

Applicants should start by completing a health screening. The organizations listed below will connect you with a screener to see what services you may be eligible for. This may include Bento groceries, and other services like housing and transportation assistance, depending on your situation. More detailed information is below.

Hudson Valley Care Coalition (HVCC)

If you live in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, or Westchester County, begin your screening by clicking the link below. 

Apply Now


Once a health screening has been completed, the screener will contact applicants within 5 business days to let them know if they are approved, and what services they qualify for. To receive Bento, applicants should specifically request it when they speak to their screener.

Healthy Alliance

If you live in Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Warren, or Washington County, begin your screening by clicking the link below. 

Apply Now


Once a health screening has been completed, the screener will contact applicants within 5 business days to let them know if they are approved, and what services they qualify for. To receive Bento, applicants should specifically request it when they speak to their screener.

Staten Island Performing Provider System (SIPPS)

If you live in Richmond County, begin your screening by clicking the link below. 

Apply Now

Once a health screening has been completed, the screener will contact applicants within 5 business days to let them know if they are approved, and what services they qualify for. To receive Bento, applicants should specifically request it when they speak to the screener.



How Does Bento Fit with Medicaid in New York?

In New York, Medicaid helps cover medical care for its members, and it also provides services related to “Health Related Social Needs” that address the things that keep people well day-to-day, like food. That’s where Bento comes in.

If you qualify, Bento groceries are an extra service that won’t affect your SNAP, WIC, or other food program eligibility. It’s simply another way to make eating healthy a little easier.





SNAP in New York: Monthly Grocery Benefits

SNAP (sometimes referred to as “food stamps”) is one of the best tools for stretching your grocery budget. In New York, benefits are loaded onto an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card you can swipe at grocery stores, bodegas, and even some farmers’ markets.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Check if you qualify. Income and household size are the biggest factors. Go to https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin to get started.

  2. Gather your paperwork. ID, pay stubs, rent or utility bills are usually required.

  3. Apply online at myBenefits.NY.gov or through your local DSS (Department of Social Services) office.

  4. Complete a short interview (often by phone).

  5. Start shopping with your EBT card.

The best part? SNAP and Bento can work together. Your Bento groceries cover your medical nutrition needs, while SNAP gives you flexibility to buy any additional food you need.




WIC: Support for Moms and Children

Pregnant? Nursing? Have a child under 5? The WIC program offers free healthy food (think milk, eggs, fruit, and cereal), nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. Benefits are loaded onto a simple card you can use at authorized stores.

You can apply through your county’s health department, or many clinics will even help walk you through the process. Below is contact information that can help you get started. Note: in some counties, WIC may be administered by nonprofit agencies, health departments, or clinics; hours and services may vary, so it’s a good idea to call ahead.

State/Additional WIC Contacts

  • New York State WIC (NYS Department of Health): Toll-free 1-800-522-5006; local number 518-402-7093

  • General WIC Program Fax / Email: Fax 518-402-7348, Email nyswic@health.ny.gov




Local Food Pantries and Distributions

There are several resources across the state for food distribution. Below is a partial list of resources at both the state and county level that might be able to help.

Statewide, quick-start help

County-by-county (A→Z)

Each county lists the primary food bank & pantry locator that serves residents.

Albany — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Clinton — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Columbia — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Cortland — Food Bank of Central New York

Dutchess — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Essex — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Franklin — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Fulton — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Hamilton — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Herkimer — Food Bank of Central New York

Jefferson — Food Bank of Central New York

Lewis — Food Bank of Central New York

Madison — Food Bank of Central New York

Montgomery — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Oneida — Food Bank of Central New York

Onondaga — Food Bank of Central New York

Oswego — Food Bank of Central New York

Putnam — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Rensselaer — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Richmond (Staten Island) — Food Bank For New York City

Rockland — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Saratoga — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Schenectady — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Schoharie — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

St. Lawrence — Food Bank of Central New York

Sullivan — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Warren — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Washington — Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

Westchester — Feeding Westchester

Tip: Arrive early to distributions — food is often first come, first served.




FAQs

Can I get both SNAP and Bento?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs, you can receive food from each.

Will applying for SNAP or WIC affect my immigration status?
No. These programs do not affect immigration status.

What if I can’t leave the house?
Some pantries, like St. Vincent de Paul, offer home delivery. And of course, Bento delivers right to your door.




Helpful Links

The Bottom Line

If you’re in New York and need food assistance, there are more resources available than you might think. From weekly Bento deliveries to monthly SNAP benefits and neighborhood food pantries, help is close by.

Healthy groceries should never be out of reach — and with a little support, they don’t have to be.






Jill Visit
Next

Bento is now available in New York!