Gig Work Is Now a Safety Net | Las Vegas News

Gig work is no longer just a side hustle—it’s becoming the primary income for millions, with Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash now topping the list of food assistance recipients. Once seen as flexible, these jobs are now lifelines for workers struggling to make ends meet, forcing them to rely on taxpayer-funded safety nets. As gig platforms dodge responsibility for benefits like health insurance or sick pay, the burden shifts to public programs—and even Medicaid, which now faces stricter work requirements that gig workers can’t always meet. But hope is emerging: states like New York are piloting portable benefits models, such as the Black Car Fund, that shift costs to users while protecting workers. Flexibility and fairness don’t have to be enemies—they can coexist if we rethink how we support those who need it most. 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/2083aaa57a534e0e