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So recently some drivers were notified about one of Doordash’s New Pilot programs being the Dasher Relief Fund, while we are not certain about if this will stay long term, it is already earning significant praise from content creators.
But here is the real question, is this worth it and what's the catch?
So in this article, We are talking about:
EVERYTHING You MUST Know about the Dasher Relief Fund
What they tell you vs how it ACTUALLY is
Everything in between!
Disclaimer: The content of this article does not contain and is never intended to be legal, business, financial, tax, or health advice of any kind, This article is for entertainment purposes only. It is advised that you conduct your own research and consult with qualified professionals before applying anything you find online.
I also want to be clear that everything we are going over in this article is very market dependent, and what applies to me and my market may not apply to you!
Doordash: At DoorDash, we care about the people who use our platform, and we want to help ensure that you have the support you need when facing unexpected challenges. This program reflects our commitment to help support the well-being and financial security of the DoorDash community. We hope that the DoorDash Relief Fund can provide some peace of mind and assistance during difficult times.
Oop, that is some political nonsense, let me fix that real quick:
Doordash (Unspoken): At DoorDash, we pretend to care about the people who use our platform, and we want to help ensure that you are stupid enough to believe that you have the support you need when facing unexpected challenges.
This program reflects our commitment to make us look like a group of relatively decent individuals that help support the well-being and financial security of the DoorDash slave community.
We hope that the DoorDash Relief Fund can shut you up long enough about our crappy base pay and horrible mistreatment long enough for us to think up a way to siphon more money from you!
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Doordash: This pilot is only open to Dashers that meet the following criteria:
10,000 + Lifetime Deliveries
Complete 1x delivery in the last 28 days
Applying for an eligible hardship event including:
Death in the Family (funeral expenses, etc.)
Hardship must have occurred within 90-days of application submission
I feel like anytime they drop a pilot of some kind of reward for drivers with over 10,000 deliveries is when mass deactivations took place not too long prior.
We always assume that it is because they are losing money, or some drivers got smart and sure that is part of it, but we never consider this either. Why? Because it is so hard to believe that Doordash is even trying to provide any sort of assistance that isn’t political, or kind of useless.
Completing 1 delivery in the past 28 days is reasonable, like why should Doordash want to help drivers who aren’t working at all?
I like how there is only one hardship available on this list, like why don’t we just call it the Widows relief fund? That said, if they plan to expand this it can be to increase the number of qualified events, it is a more all encompassing name.
The Hardship timeframe is reasonable too, like my mom died in August last year and my grandfather in January this year so it makes sense that I wouldn’t be a dirty opportunist and start applying out of the gate ya know?
But then again, I can also see how they can play games on their side. Like if they deny your claim because it took them too long to process, or they wait until the last day to deny it so you don’t have time to appeal, if they even allow appeals.
Either way, you know how Doordash will play these silly games.
Doordash: This program is being facilitated by our nonprofit partner, Canary. DoorDash is not liable or responsible for the grant application process.
Which Obviously, means it isn’t their fault if they don’t accept your application right?
Also, quick note on what they said here. It is a Grant, not a loan. So it isn’t like you have to pay it back, so that is a good thing.
Doordash: Please note: The Dasher Relief Fund will distribute up to 250 grants per quarter (January - March, April to June, July to September, October to December). Dashers who apply after this limit has been reached will be notified by Canary and are encouraged to apply in the next eligible quarter.
As if we didn’t see that coming!
Doordash (Unspoken): So to 250 hardworking and committed gig workers who lost their loved ones we will process this grant and they can continue to grieve their loved ones, for the rest of you, F*** off!
Also, think about how timing is going to factor here!
Let’s say in January they already filled the 250 grants because it was a crazy depressing holiday and between 250 families who can’t handle winter weather for any reason under the sun, they apply for this grant and they get it.
Doordash had 7 million gig workers in 2023 and people have been on and off like crazy! But let’s say, 1000 applications for the sake of simplicity for those even qualified for the grant in the first place!
According to Grantwatch, it takes about 30 days to 18 months for a grant to get approved. Let’s say canary is all over their stuff, and has a turn around time of 30 days, so by February they all get their grants and they also get more applications.
250 people approved, 750 rejected by the end of January.
1000 more apply in February, all rejected because they already filled the quarter. Same with March more in March.
Now April rolls around, and they also have another 1000 applications rolled in and let’s say half of the already rejected applications tried again, and the others either forgot or got other crap to worry about!
Meaning they just got swamped with 2375 applications and only 250 are getting the grant! This doesn’t even account for the expired applications for the already rejected grants and otherwise.
It’s cool for those who get approved but to those who don’t they just get lost in the wind!
Doordash: All inquiries for the Dasher Relief Fund should be directed to our nonprofit partner’s website at www.doordash.grantcircles.org. Dashers can reach out to info@doordash.grantcircles.org email for questions or more information.
Keep in mind, this aspect of Doordash is a nonprofit, and not in the ironic sense. Meaning this isn’t a loan, it’s not some life insurance policy, it is a grant.
Not to say you shouldn’t have life insurance or anything like that, but this is an available option for you.
Other Important Info
So I did some digging and I found some other interesting details about actually applying for it!
Paypal Required
The first interesting detail is that Paypal is required to receive the funds from the Grant, and While Paypal may ask you for some tax info on your end, remember that this falls under the category of a charitable donation, so you won’t be taxed on it because it isn’t taxable income.
Value of Grant
The grant is valued at up to $1000 and help with Eligible Financial hardship expenses such as:
Mortgage or Rent
Utilities
Food (up to $200 per person in household)
Medical Expenses (yourself or a someone you have financial responsibility for)
Car Repair (Excluding those covered by car insurance)
Car loan or Lease
Transportation (Including gas/car insurance/public transport/rental or taxi/ride services)
Imagine needing public transport as a gig worker lmao!
Emergency travel
If you had a death in the family you may needed to take a flight over to their home
Home repair (excluding insurance)
Moving expenses
Funeral or Burial
Pro tip, cremation is cheaper than a burial so if you want to save some money that way it is possible
Minimum debt payment
Doesn’t include mortgage or auto loans so no double dipping here
Childcare
I feel like parents are thinking this is like 3 times that a week sometimes.
Education
School supplies and fees, student loans would fall under minimum debt payment
Clothing (Up to $200 per person)
Elder care
Things that don’t fall into the above categories, again no double dipping
Honestly, I think you can hit $1000 with these numbers pretty fast if you know what you are doing.
Documentation Requirements
The first thing you need is the documentation that proves you are experiencing financial hardship. On that document should have:
Your Name or the name of the person experiencing the hardship which would be you if you are applying
And if your name isn’t on the document, you need to include additional documentation that connects you to the person on the document
Let’s say your grandfather passed and you inherited their car and insurance, but the insurance is still in their name because they are being slow on providing said information, because when has insurance ever did their job quick, they provide the name, they would need the document stating that it is now your insurance and responsibility
The billers name and information
Going back to our insurance example, they would need the logo of the insurance on the bill
The document has to be relevant to your financial emergency and demonstrate the extra cost to you
Going from one insurance payment to 2 because of the “new” car you just got
And all vital details are clearly visible:
The date of the document
If you are using pictures they must be clear and readable
What should NOT be on the document is the personal info:
SSN
Bank account info
Usernames
Passwords
The other document you need should be more obvious is the documentation of death, such as a death certificate, bill of funeral expenses, or Obituary. Of course also being able to prove your relationship to this person as well.
If you would like to add some other perspective to how Customer Ratings work on Doordash, feel free to email me: drivenwyld@gmail.com and who knows? Maybe your email or perspective and be featured in a post as well!
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