Doordash is a great way to make money as a driver, but it’s not without its risks. It’s important to know the potential downsides of driving for Doordash and other delivery services before signing up. Does Doordash report to unemployment? What you need to know about this and many other issues regarding being a driver for Doordash. This article will explain everything you need to know about driving and reporting during times of unemployment.
Does Doordash report to unemployment?
Yes! Doordash does report to unemployment, but it can take a long time for the information to get to your state’s unemployment office. You’ll probably hear from a state representative before you get a notice from Doordash. Doordash reports earnings from each day you work, so you should report earnings from each day you work and drive. Like most other employers, Doordash reports to the state each week, usually on Sunday or Monday. Depending on the state, your earnings will likely be entered into your state’s system within a few days after the report.
What Is Doordash?
Doordash is a food delivery app that connects drivers with customers who want take-out or delivery from nearby restaurants. Drivers use their own cars to deliver orders from restaurants to customers who have requested deliveries. Drivers are paid an amount that is less than minimum wage, plus tips from customers. Doordash drivers are not employees of the company and are “independent contractors” who are responsible for paying for their own expenses, including gas, mileage, car maintenance, insurance, and car washes. Doordash is one of several companies that hire contract workers to deliver food to customers. Other firms that offer opportunities for drivers to make money by delivering food include UberEats, Amazon Restaurants, GrubHub, Postmates, and Uber General.
When does Doordash report?
When you work for an expert logistics company such as Doordash or Postmates, you’re essentially signing up to become a driver for hire. When you log on, you’ll be notified of new delivery opportunities in your area (especially if you live in an urban area and have the app set to receive notifications).
7am – 9am: Morning Shifting
Doordash will begin activating new drivers for shifts starting at 7 am. This is the earliest that most drivers can expect to be activated for a delivery job. Morning shifts usually carry the lowest volume of deliveries, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be busy. In fact, the first few hours of the day often see the most deliveries of the day because most people are still eating breakfast. Morning shifts are a great way to get a ton of deliveries done in a short amount of time. If you’re looking to earn a lot of money in a short period, this is definitely the time to log on. The only drawback is that you’ll be working against the clock to get everything done. There’s a good chance that you’ll be rushing to get to customers on time as well, so make sure to drive safely!
9 am – 12 pm: Lunch Shifting
Lunch shifts typically start getting activated around 9 am. This is when the majority of people are taking a break from work to grab a bite to eat, so the demand for deliveries peaks around this time. You’ll likely be busy during the lunch rush because most people prefer to order food for themselves or co-workers at this point in the day. If you’re interested in maximizing your hourly rate, though, you might want to avoid this time slot. Most deliveries earn drivers around $10, so if you log on during the lunch rush, you’re taking home a significantly lower hourly wage than you would at other times of the day. The one advantage to logging on during lunch is that the rate of orders is usually lower than it is for breakfast and dinner deliveries. This means that you’ll have a better chance of getting those deliveries done in a timely manner.
12pm – 2pm: Afternoon Shifting
The mid-afternoon is usually when Doordash starts activating orders for people getting off work. This is when a lot of people order lunch for themselves and co-workers, and it’s also when people get off of work and start ordering dinner. During the mid-afternoon, demand for deliveries is typically higher than it is at either breakfast or lunch. This means that you’ll be able to earn more money during this time, but you’ll also be busier. Most Doordash drivers prefer to log on during the mid-afternoon because it’s when you can expect to make the most money.
2pm – 6pm: Evening Shifting
Logging on during the evening is one of the most common ways for Doordash drivers to make money. The demand for deliveries typically steadily grows as the sun sets and people get home from work, school, sports practice, etc., and it typically peaks around 5:00 or 6:00 pm. This is when most people are ordering dinner, drinks, snacks, and other items that require a quick turnaround. Evening shifts are one of the busiest times of day for Doordash drivers. But they’re also one of the best times to get orders done quickly. You’re probably familiar with rush hour traffic, but did you know that most cities have a “rush hour for delivery drivers” as well? Most cities see the most deliveries being placed between 5 and 8 pm.
2pm – 6pm: Late Evening Shifting
Late evening (from about 9 pm to 11 pm) is when most people start ordering food for the next day. This is when the demand for deliveries is the lowest at all times of day, but the number of orders remains the same. As such, you may have to work a bit harder to find customers who are willing to accept deliveries the next day. This means that you’ll have to spend more time searching for customers and making calls to let them know about your arrival.
8pm – 11pm: Night Shifting
Many Doordash drivers prefer to log on during the late evening hours or even during the night. This is often because they have daytime jobs (such as working in an office) and can’t log on during the afternoon or evening hours. Night shifts are often the least busy times of day to log on, but they also offer the highest rates. This means that you can earn a very comfortable living working just a few hours each night. The only issue is that you may have trouble finding enough customers to keep you busy during this time. Keep in mind that restaurants, bars, and other businesses that serve food often start closing at this time, making it difficult to find customers who are willing to accept delivery.
11pm – 3am: Final Shifting
The final hours of the night are when Doordash activates the fewest orders, which is where you can expect to find the fewest number of deliveries. You’ll have plenty of time to get everything done, but you’ll also be earning significantly less than you would during the night or even the late evening hours.
How Long Does It Take To Hear From Doordash After An Unemployment Check?
- That’s a great question. There are so many variables that are related to when a state rep or Doordash will find out about your earnings from the app.
- I don’t think any two cases are exactly alike. Some drivers find out about their earnings from Doordash within days after working and receiving tips.
- For example, a driver who waits tables and then delivers on the weekend might not report any earnings until the following Monday.
How Much Do You Make From Delivering With Doordash?
- Like all other things, it depends. Factors that contribute to the amount you make include your location, the demand for deliveries in your area, and your driving efficiency.
- Your location and the demand for deliveries in your area will probably stay consistent throughout the year, but your driving efficiency will be affected by the weather and your vehicle.
- A typical driver makes between $10 and $19 per hour before expenses.
- This is gross earnings, so you will pay taxes on this money at the end of the year.
- In fact, you should set aside a portion of this money for taxes each month.
Bottom Line
When you sign up to be a Doordash driver, you should assume that you’ll eventually be reported as a gainfully employed person. This means that you may also lose your unemployment benefits if you’ve been reporting your Doordash income. If you’re receiving unemployment benefits and you start driving for Doordash, you should make sure to report your income as soon as you start making money. You may also want to report your earnings to your state’s unemployment office as soon as they begin.
