Guide to the Prop 22 Healthcare Stipend
Attention Dashers: The Q1 2026 cycle will open April 8, 2026 and remain open through April 24, 2026 at 11:59PM PT.
Healthcare Stipend and Eligibility Requirements for Dashers in California
Your health matters. That’s why we’re excited to provide a stipend to help offset your healthcare costs after each calendar quarter.
How the application process works
Submit your application: If you are eligible to apply, you will receive an application link by email. The link will redirect you to login to your Dasher account and then you will be able to start the intake form and submit your application.
Important: If you purchased your insurance through Covered California, you have the option to consent to share your health coverage information with DoorDash before the cycle begins, which allows us to automatically verify your eligibility once you submit your application.
Response Timeline: We will review your application within 15 calendar days of submission.
While your application is under review, you cannot submit another application; only one application can be active at a time.
While your Healthcare stipend application is in review, the application link will redirect you to a webpage that confirms the application was successfully submitted.
If your application is approved: You will receive an email confirmation from DoorDash and the stipend will be paid directly to your Dasher account.
If your application is denied: You will receive an email from DoorDash describing the reason why we could not verify your health coverage information. If this was the result of a correctable mistake (such as forgetting to attach a required document), you’ll have an opportunity to reapply using the same link within the current application cycle, as long as it’s submitted before the cycle deadline.
Overview of Qualifications
As a California Dasher, you’re eligible to receive a stipend every calendar quarter if you meet both of the following criteria:
During the quarter, you dashed an average of 15 or more active hours per week; and
You’re enrolled in a qualifying health plan.
Active Hours Criteria
We’ll send you weekly emails to help you track your progress towards eligibility for the stipend. These emails will include your total active hours over the week and average active hours over the quarter. Your final active hours calculation for the prior quarter will be shared with you at the start of a new quarter.
If you averaged 15 or more active hours per week during the quarter, you’ll receive an email from DoorDash with an invitation to submit an application.
Healthcare Plan Criteria
Once you submit your application for the stipend, we’ll verify that you had a qualifying health plan in the prior quarter. Make sure you’re enrolled in a qualifying health plan by reviewing the criteria below.
Which plans may qualify?
Here’s an inclusive but not exhaustive list:
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield of California
Chinese Community Health Plan
Health Net
Kaiser Permanente
L.A. Care Health Plan
Molina Healthcare
Sharp Health Plan
Oscar Health
Valley Health Plan
Western Health Advantage
Inland Empire Health Plan
Which plans do not qualify?
Here’s an inclusive but not exhaustive list:
Plans where you are not the primary subscriber (for example, you have coverage through your spouse)
Employer-sponsored
Government-sponsored, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medical, CenCal Health, and other forms of Medicare and Medicaid
Tricare
Promise Health Plan
Not sure if your insurance qualifies? A qualifying health plan is one that you purchased through Covered California (California’s health insurance marketplace) or an individual health plan that you purchased outside Covered California that meets the ACA requirement for minimum essential coverage.
If your health insurance card has a Covered California logo on it, follow these steps to set up your Covered California account and link it to an existing health insurance policy. If you need help setting up your account, you can authorize an insurance agent to help. Click here to learn more.
Application Windows
The application window for the healthcare stipend opens on the first day of a new calendar quarter.
Q1 stipend application period: April 8 - April 24
Q2 stipend application period: July 2 - July 17
Q3 stipend application period: October 2 - October 17
Q4 stipend application period: January 2 - January 17
Please note that applications must be submitted by the final day of the cycle at 11:59pm Pacific Time to be considered valid. Cycle open dates are subject to change.
Payment
If you meet both criteria and submit a completed application before the cycle deadline, we’ll approve your application and issue your healthcare stipend to your Dasher account.
The stipend amount is determined by your average weekly active hours in the quarter.
If you averaged 15 to 25 active hours per week, you will receive $867.
If you averaged 25 or more active hours per week, you will receive $1,737.
The amounts listed above are applicable for 2026 and will be updated annually.
Streamline Your Application
If you purchased a qualifying health plan through the Covered California marketplace, you can consent to sharing your coverage information directly with DoorDash. By opting in, you won’t need to upload proof of coverage as part of your application.
To take advantage of this time-saving option, just check the Consent to Share opt-in box and submit your application as usual. Covered California will verify your coverage for you.
To enable data sharing, sign in to your Covered California account. Step-by-step instructions are provided below:
Steps to Provide Consent to Share
The Home Page of the enrollee case provides a "View Proof of Coverage Form" button; click it to get started, then click "Start" on the Proof of Coverage Forms page.
Select the household member who is the app-based driver that consents to share proof of coverage. Then click Next.
Click the Network Companies drop down and select the app-based driver network company.
Enter the email address and phone number used for the account associated with the network company.
Click Next to continue.
Click the radio button for the following statement: “I certify I have explained the terms and conditions as written above to the consumer. They understand and agree to share proof of coverage information with selected Network Companies.”
Add your electronic PIN and electronic signature, then click Submit.
After you click Submit; a "Success!" popup will confirm that the consent to share coverage was successful.
Click OK. The Proof of Coverage Forms page includes a Household Sharing Summary for the household member(s) sharing coverage information.
FAQs
When will I receive the stipend?
You will receive a status update from a DoorDash team member over email within 15 calendar days of application submission. If your application is approved, you will receive payment within 3 business days of your approval email.
My application was denied. What can I do next?
If your application was denied and you believe you are eligible (for example, you forgot to attach your ID Card), you can reapply. Submit your corrected application before the end of the application cycle. Your original invitation link will remain the same throughout the cycle.
Can my spouse or dependent also apply to receive the stipend if they’re on my plan?
No. You must be the primary subscriber of your plan to be eligible to receive the healthcare stipend.
When can I purchase coverage for a health insurance plan?
You can apply for coverage through Covered California at any time if you experience a qualifying life event. See here for details.
We’ve also partnered with Stride in California to help you easily find and enroll in eligible coverage for you and any of your dependents. Please note that Stride is not involved in DoorDash’s stipend application process, and cannot provide assistance with your application or stipend payments.
