Georgia has become just the second state in the nation to complete a portable benefits pilot program. Following Pennsylvania’ s successful pilot, roughly 5,500 Dashers in the state opted to earn real benefits while maintaining the freedom they value as independent workers. Together, the results of these two pilots offer an unmistakable roadmap for leaders in Congress to take action in support of flexible benefits for flexible work.
An independent analysis from ndp | analytics, DoorDash’s Portable Benefits Savings Pilot Program: Learnings From Georgia, shows how impactful this program has been for Dashers who want to maintain their ability to work flexibly while earning the benefits they need and want most.
Dashers Experience Greater Financial Security: About 73% of Dashers feel more financially secure after participating in the program, and 91% would feel more secure if the pilot program were made permanent.
Expanded Access to Benefits for Dashers: Nearly 75% of Dashers who did not already have access to all the benefits they wanted or needed, gained access to benefits they would not otherwise have thanks to the pilot program.
Dashers Want to Remain Independent with the Option of Portable Benefits: 84% of Dashers said they would prefer the government to continue treating flexible workers as independent contractors, with the allowance of portable benefits.
The report makes one thing clear: portable benefits are a practical, never-been-done-before solution for today’s workers – a solution that’s scalable at the national level.
“Georgia and Pennsylvania have shown us that workers can have the freedom they want without sacrificing the benefits they need. Nine in ten Dashers support these kinds of programs. The fact is workers shouldn’t have to choose between independence and security,” said Max Rettig, Head of Global Public Policy at DoorDash. “We hope federal lawmakers across parties will listen to workers and focus on practical solutions like portable benefits.”
“In Georgia, we are proud to support our companies that provide innovative ways to meet the needs of their employees,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We’re grateful that through this program, many hardworking Georgians received needed benefits, helping them succeed in their work and support their communities. Thank you to DoorDash for offering this opportunity in the Peach State.”
Key Findings in Georgia:
Emergency Savings and Time Off Were the Most Used Benefits: Emergency savings (34%) were the most popular uses of funds for Dashers in Georgia, followed by paid time off (31%), health, dental, and vision insurance (7%), and retirement savings (6%).
Dashers Created Savings Accounts They Didn’t Have Before: About 61% of Dashers now have interest-bearing savings accounts they did not have before the pilot program.
As the workforce of the future continues to evolve, DoorDash is leading the way on innovative solutions to keep work flexible, futures secure, and economies thriving. Results from Georgia and Pennsylvania show portable benefits can work and make a real impact.
DoorDash is committed to continuing to work with policymakers across the country and at the federal level to bring portable benefits to flexible workers.
Read the full report here.
