Overview
About 4,400 Dashers have signed up for a first-of-its-kind portable benefits pilot program in Pennsylvania, using the funds for health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, retirement, paid time off, and emergency savings.
Participating Dashers expressed excitement, with one describing the program as “a blessing” and another planning to use it for a dream getaway with their grandson.
According to a May survey, 91% of Dashers said that this program would be good for Dashers, and 90% supported portable benefits legislation.
“I am the only one working so this is a huge deal for us. Thank you so much for your help today. You seriously saved our asses. Pardon my language but you totally did. I appreciate you. And I am so freaking glad I checked my email today. What a blessing.”
— Stacey G., Warren, Pennsylvania
It’s time to rethink how we can strengthen independent work for the millions of people who choose to earn on platforms like DoorDash. That’s why in April we unveiled a new, first-in-the-nation portable benefits savings pilot program for Pennsylvania Dashers with the support of Governor Josh Shapiro. The roughly 4,400 Dashers who’ve signed up through the Stride portable benefits platform so far are an early indication that portable benefits represent a viable path to protecting and strengthening independent work.
While most Dashers spend relatively little time on the DoorDash platform and have access to benefits through other sources (like a full-time job or a family member), Dashers who spend more time on the platform are often less likely to have these benefits. That’s why our pilot program is designed for Dashers who earn the most. In July, Dashers who earned at least $1,000 in DoorDash pay in the previous three months were invited to join the pilot — they are recieving 4% in additional deposits from DoorDash on earnings from April through September to spend on things like health insurance, retirement savings, paid time off, and more.
As of the close of the enrollment period, about 4,400 Dashers had enrolled, representing 23% of eligible Dashers. On average, these Dashers received an initial deposit of $100 — enough to cover a year of vision insurance premiums based on national averages, for example — with more contributions pending in the coming months. By the end of July, just over $440,000 had been disbursed by DoorDash to participating Dashers, of which roughly $162,000 had already been used to meet immediate needs.
How do Dashers feel about this program? In a survey sent to potential participants in May, regardless of whether they planned to participate, 91% of Dashers said that this program would be good for Dashers, and 90% supported portable benefits legislation. Among those who indicated they didn’t plan to participate, some told us why: “I don't need it. I have this through my normal job. Dashing is just a gig for extra cash.” But for those who did plan to participate, they cited a wide variety of potential uses:
“Help with medical costs and other unique costs that may come up”
“Reducing my monthly medical co pay”
“Saving for college”
“Saving for emergencies and being able to better support myself.”
“I don't have any dental insurance”
Among a set of typical benefits (health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement, and paid time off), retirement and paid time off were the most popular, with over half of respondents saying they intended to use their portable benefits account for these purposes. Only about a quarter indicated they would need to use their portable benefits savings account for health insurance, which is unsurprising given many Dashers have health insurance through other sources. In fact, those who qualified but opted not to enroll in the pilot were more likely to have a full-time job in addition to dashing than those who did enroll.
Because Dashers have such diverse needs, a one-size-fits-all solution isn’t appropriate. In this pilot and in the legislative proposals we have supported, Dashers get to choose how to spend the contributions they receive. As one participant told us, one of her twin daughters had been admitted to the hospital the same month that her partner just had an emergency surgery. When she received notice about her eligibility to sign up, she realized that this program could make a meaningful difference for her family during a time of serious financial stress.
Another Dasher, whose wife was recently diagnosed with cancer and mother had a stroke, says that dashing has given him the flexibility to hop between his caregiving roles and take off work to help out. He also helps care for his three-year-old grandson and plans to use his portable benefits account to save for a vacation for them.
“I’m looking forward to using the savings from this program for paid time off to spend with my grandson. It has always been a dream to take him to Disney World, and now we'll finally be able to get there. This is the kind of benefit that every worker should be able to enjoy.”
— Jim R., Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
These benefits don’t just exist as an abstract concept for the future of work — they’re already making an impact in Pennsylvanians’ lives.
