Stride Selected by Lyft and Uber to Power Massachusetts Rideshare Driver Portable Health Benefit Fund

Program launches as wave of state and federal portable benefits policy innovation for independent workers accelerates.

Stride, the leader in portable benefits technology, has been selected by Uber and Lyft to administer health insurance stipends to eligible drivers across the state of Massachusetts. This new program builds on Stride’s growing independent portable benefits savings programs with Lyft, DoorDash, and Shipt in states like Utah, Pennsylvania, and Georgia—bringing much-needed financial support to America’s over 72 million independent workers.

Created as a direct result of a July 2024 settlement agreement between the two companies and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, this marks the first time that rideshare drivers will be able to pool hours across the Lyft and Uber platforms in order to qualify for specific benefits.  Stride’s technology facilitates pooling driver hours across Lyft and Uber, determining driver qualification for health benefits, and distributing earned health insurance stipends to drivers’ benefits savings accounts. Drivers can use this money to pay for existing health insurance premiums and apply for new coverage on the Stride platform. 

How the Stride-run Portable Health Benefit Fund works

Under the settlement agreement, eligible Massachusetts rideshare drivers can receive a quarterly stipend to help cover their health insurance costs based on the number of hours they drive. Starting April 1, 2025, drivers can begin to accrue hours to qualify for stipends to pay for qualified health plans purchased via the Mass Connector. Drivers who drive with both companies will automatically have their hours pooled to reach the requirement. Stride also verifies that drivers are enrolled in a qualified health plan.

“Stride is proud to help independent workers get access to critical benefits like health insurance while keeping the freedom and flexibility they value,” said Noah Lang, CEO and Co-founder of Stride. “Gig workers shouldn’t have to choose between financial stability and independence—we’re making sure they don’t have to.”

"Drivers on Lyft are mothers, fathers, caregivers, entrepreneurs and immigrants. They turn to rideshare for economic mobility and to fulfill their dreams. We want drivers on Lyft to succeed off the platform as well, which our partnership with Stride is so important," said Jeremy Bird, Executive Vice President of Driver Experience at Lyft. "Together, we'll be able to help drivers in Massachusetts access health insurance, paid time off, and more, without being tied down to a single company."

"We've heard from drivers in Massachusetts that the ability to choose when, where, and for how long they work makes it possible to manage the other priorities in their lives. But choosing flexibility shouldn’t mean giving up protections like healthcare or sick pay," said Liza Winship, Director of Driver Operations at Uber. "Stride's unique offering in Massachusetts will help drivers put their health in the front seat—and we're pleased to be working alongside them."

A growing movement for independent worker benefits

This program was born out of a July 2024 settlement agreement between the leading rideshare companies and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and it launches at a pivotal moment, as lawmakers across the country push for new policies to support independent workers. In February 2025, the Modern Worker Security Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives, aiming to create financial protections for independent workers. On April 3, the Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act was signed into law,  making Tennessee the second state (after Utah) to enable safe harbor protections for companies offering portable benefits to independent workers. Additionally, several states are currently considering or developing portable benefits legislation.

With Stride’s expanding role in portable benefits, self-employed, gig and other freelance workers can have a smarter, more secure way to save for healthcare, retirement, and other benefits—without sacrificing their independence. To learn more about portable benefits and how they work, connect with our Portable Benefits team.

*Stride Savings LLC is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services are provided by i3 Bank, Member FDIC. The Stride Mastercard Debit Card is issued by i3 Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard, Inc. and may be used anywhere Mastercard cards are accepted.