Here are answers to some of the most common questions about WSF.

How do I create an account?

To be able to create an account, you must have received an invitation from one of our outreach partners (Steady, Stride, or Drivers Benefits). The invitation includes a link that takes you to a page where you can create an account. This page includes the partner logo up top, a message beneath the logo that says "Welcome Steady/Stride/Drivers Benefits Member", and a "Get Started" section where you can read step-by-step instructions for getting funded. In the "Get Started" section, click on any of the steps in the menu to the left and you'll see a blue button beneath the instructions within the step that says, "Get Started." Click on this button to create your account, complete your profile, and start requesting funds.

Feel free to navigate away from this page to learn more about WSF. However, you will need to return to this page in order to create your WSF account. The easiest way to do this is to click on the link in your invitation.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@workersstrengthfund.org. A member of our staff will get back to you within a couple hours of your email.

What counts as an emergency?

Funds can be requested for anything that you think of as an emergency expense. Emergencies can range from an unexpected medical expense to car repairs to moving fees. More examples of emergency expenses can be found on the homepage.

Do I have to work on a gig platform to be eligible?

Yes, in addition to being a member of one of our participating partners, you must work on a gig platform for a minimum of 10 hours per week for at least 3 months per year. 

How much money can I request?

A maximum of $1,000 is available for you to request for 365 days starting with the day you registered so long as there are funds available.

Am I eligible for more than $1,000 if I work on more than one gig platform?

You are only eligible to request up to $1,000 per year regardless of the number of platforms you work on or how many partners you are associated with. 

How will you verify that I am associated with a participating partner (Steady, Stride, or Drivers Benefits)?

You will only be able to create one account using the information provided in the invitation you receive from one of our participating partners (Steady, Stride, or Drivers Benefits). WSF will verify that you are a member of one of our partners when you create an account. You will also be asked to attest that you work on a platform when you complete your profile.

Where does WSF get the money that it gives away?

There are multiple funders that support WSF. The most prominent funders are Google.org and the Rockefeller Foundation.

How long does it take for a request to be approved?

You will receive an email regarding your application status up to 2 business days after you submit a fund request.

How do I check the status of my request?

You can check the status of your request by logging into your WSF account and navigating to your account page.

How do I actually receive funds once I'm approved?

Once your request is approved, you can log back into your account and choose your preferred payment method (PayPal or Direct Deposit).

WSF will then collect the additional information needed to fulfill the payment request. To received funds, you must use your registered WSF email address, which may mean adding that email address to your existing PayPal account.

To add your registered WSF email to your PayPal account: 

  1. Login to your PayPal account using the email address currently associated with your PayPal account.
  2. Click the "cog" icon  at the top right corner. 
  3. On the Login and Security section click the "Update" link in the "Email" section.
  4. From there you can click the plus signto add the email that is associated with your WSF account. 
  5. You will need to check your inbox for an email to confirm the address in your PayPal account.
How long does it take for me to receive the funds I requested?

How quickly you receive the funds will depend on the payment method you choose. You can choose to have your funds delivered via Direct Deposit or PayPal. Both options should allow you to receive funds between 3-4 business days.

How do I add an email address to my PayPal account?
  1. Login to your PayPal account using the email address currently associated with your PayPal account.
  2. Click the "cog" icon  at the top right corner. 
  3. On the Login and Security section click the "Update" link in the "Email" section.
  4. From there you can click the plus signto add the email that is associated with your WSF account. 
  5. You will need to check your inbox for an email to confirm the address in your PayPal account.
Who is eligible to request funds from WSF?

To be eligible for WSF you must: 

  • Be a member of one of our participating partners (Steady, Stride, or Drivers Benefits)
  • Live in San Francisco, New York City, Detroit, or Dallas
  • Have received an invitation from one of our participating partners to join WSF
  • Not be enrolled in college or university full-time
How do you keep my personal information secure?

WSF securely stores basic personal information for research purposes only. We do not store your bank account or other sensitive personal information. We never share your data for any reason, and you should never share your bank account information to anyone reaching out claiming to be associated with WSF. 

For further information, please read our privacy policy.

Who can I contact if I still have questions?

You can contact a member of the WSF team by emailing us at info@workersstengthfund.org.

Who are the nonprofits that created WSF?

Commonwealth and The Workers Lab are two national nonprofits that are working to minimize the impact of emergencies on the lives of working Americans. To learn more about each organization, visit their websites or contact WSF.