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DoorDash delivery workers who participated in the company’s Portable Benefits Pilot Program in Pennsylvania earned an average of nearly $200 from the company which can be used for expenses such as buying health insurance. Under the program, which was originally slated for six months, workers are now estimated to earn about $400 when the 12-month trial ends in March 2025, according to a recent report about the program issued by DoorDash and prepared by NDP Analytics.
As part of the program, announced in April, DoorDash contributed 4% of monthly pre-tip earnings to a benefit savings account set up by a “Dasher”—the moniker bestowed on those who pick up and deliver food. However, it only applied to Dashers who earned at least $1,000 and made 100 deliveries in the second quarter.
The survey reported that 4,400 Dashers (23% of the 19,000+ eligible workers) participated and that the company paid them an average of $190.90 when the first six months ended in September. The company contributed a total of $802,722. Over the full 12 months, DashDoor estimates it will contribute $381.80 per participant.
Nearly a third of Dashers (31.6%) used the money for time off. That was followed by emergency savings (20.9%) and health insurance (6.8%).
One issue facing independent contractors is a lack of benefits such as health insurance and paid time-off. However, Dashers in the program reported they weren’t anxious to become full-time employees. Most of them (86%) said they would choose to remain independent contractors with over half (54%) preferring “independent contractor status with portable benefits” over becoming a full-time employee.