New Report: Gig-Workers Prefer Flexibility of Portable Benefits

Commonwealth Foundation’s new report analyzes the success of DoorDash’s Portable Benefits Pilot Program in Pennsylvania.  

Harrisburg, Pa., April 24, 2025 – DoorDash unveiled its portable benefits pilot program in Pennsylvania in the Spring 2024, which ran until last month. The Commonwealth Foundation released a new report analyzing the results of the pilot program, which found that more than 80 percent of workers preferred portable benefits versus giving up flexibility for more benefits.

Workers included in the pilot came from various backgrounds and economic circumstances. More than half—54 percent—hold a primary job, while 23 percent rely solely on app-based work. Thus, most participating workers valued the flexibility offered by this first-of-its-kind benefits program.

The pilot program dispersed workers’ benefits via a third-party account from which they could withdraw funds. Most withdrawals went toward paid time off, emergency savings, and health-related expenses.

KEY POINTS 

• By the July deadline, 4,400 eligible Dashers enrolled in the pilot program.
• Participants received 4 percent of their gross earnings (before tips) and could make personal contributions to their portable benefits accounts, accruing interest in an FDIC-insured bank via secured third-party platforms.
• DoorDash extended the program to March 2025 for active Dasher participants, a strong indication the portable benefits pilot program enhanced Pennsylvania Dashers’ financial security and well-being. 
• Notably, 82 percent of participating DoorDashers preferred “their current flexibility with the portable benefits savings offered in the pilot program rather than receiving a higher level of benefits but reduced flexibility.”
• The most common reasons for pilot fund withdrawals were emergency savings (20.9 percent) and paid time off (31.6 percent).

Commonwealth Foundation’s Vice President of Policy Elizabeth Stelle issued the following response:

“DoorDash’s pilot program is a great case study on how independent workers value flexibility over mandates when considering benefits packages. This pilot program shows workers can have financial security and flexibility.

“Pennsylvania needs creative solutions, like portable benefits, to reduce out-migration and make the state more attractive to new and existing workers.

“Expanded access to portable benefits is one way the commonwealth can promote worker freedom and financial security.”

Read the full report here.

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