Gig Work Is No Longer a Side Hustle | Colorado Springs News

Gig work is no longer just a side hustle—it’s becoming the main gig for millions, with DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft now topping the list of food assistance recipients. Once dominated by Walmart and McDonald’s, this shift reveals how precarious these jobs have become, forcing workers to rely on taxpayer-funded safety nets. With gig platforms now the third-largest employer of Medicaid recipients, fluctuating hours and lack of traditional benefits are making coverage harder to maintain. States like New York are pioneering portable benefits and legal settlements, while California’s Proposition 22 offers limited protections but keeps workers as contractors—highlighting the urgent need for policies that balance flexibility with real worker security. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e7dcf08e5fb1ebc5