Today, we’re proud to share new findings from our portable benefits pilot program in Pennsylvania, demonstrating that the program has helped enhance the financial security for thousands of workers, without coming at the expense of their flexibility.
NDP Analytics, a strategic research firm that specializes in economic analysis of public policy, released a new report showcasing survey results from pilot participants during the first six months of the program, alongside data provided by the portable benefits platform Stride on how the participants were putting their benefits to use.
The report offers the most robust analysis to date of the program, showing how Dashers are benefitting from the program and providing learnings for how they could be more broadly applied. Key findings include:
The largest spending category was time off (32% of contributions), followed by spending on emergency savings (21%), health-related (health insurance, dental, and vision) expenses (10%), and retirement savings (4%).
On average, participating Dashers are estimated to earn nearly $400 in their portable benefits accounts over twelve months.
About 89% reported that the program is beneficial overall, with this figure higher among the highest-earning Dashers.
Nationally, 91% of Dashers say they want to remain independent. We surveyed program participants, who are among the most active Dashers — and therefore are less likely to have full-time jobs that provide benefits such as health insurance. Asked if they would prefer to be independent contractors with portable benefits, or employees, 86% of program participants said that they want to remain independent.
“These findings reaffirm what we’ve heard for over a decade from Dashers: flexibility is what draws them to this kind of work. In fact, 91% of Dashers across the country say they want to remain independent, with freedom to work when, where, and how they want,” said Max Rettig, Vice President of Public Policy at DoorDash.
“Offering portable benefits allows them to not only keep this flexibility, but also receive meaningful benefits to support themselves and their families. That’s why Dashers participating in this pilot — even those who spend the most time on the platform — overwhelmingly want to remain independent contractors by a 6-to-1 margin with the option of portable benefits.
“We hope this report provides insights that can help policymakers pave a path to strengthening independent work by providing what matters most to Dashers.”
One surveyed Dasher appreciated that the contributions helped support not only their financial security but overall well-being, telling researchers that:
“It allows me the flexibility to take a day off that is paid and the extra money comes in handy for emergencies.”
You can read the full report, “A Promising New Approach for App-Based Work: DoorDash’s Portable Benefits Savings Pilot Program in Pennsylvania,” here. To build upon the initial success of this first-of-its-kind pilot, partnership between companies like DoorDash and policymakers will be necessary for creating a future of work that reflects what independent workers need and want.
