An Update on the Vaccine Support Stipend for Shoppers
As more than 500,000 Instacart shoppers have supported their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve made the health and safety of the entire shopper community our top priority. At the onset of the pandemic last March, we advocated to ensure Instacart shoppers were considered essential workers. More recently, we urged the CDC and all 50 U.S. governors to support those who have delivered life’s necessities throughout the pandemic and follow the essential worker designation again, including grocery delivery workers for early access to the COVID-19 vaccines.
As states continue their phased rollouts of the COVID-19 vaccine, we’re committed to making it easier for shoppers to take time away from shopping to get vaccinated. Last month, we launched our COVID-19 Vaccine Support Stipend program to ensure that our shopper community wouldn’t have to choose between earning income as an essential service provider or getting vaccinated, and we’re proud to offer them additional support during such an important time.
15,000+ Shoppers Utilized COVID-19 Vaccine Support Stipend
Today, we’re pleased to share that more than 15,000 shoppers have already taken advantage of this program and received their stipend. As more states open up eligibility, we want to help each shopper know what programs are available to help maintain your health, and the health of those around you.
Available to shift leads, in-store shoppers, and full-service shoppers, the COVID-19 Vaccine Support Stipend provides shoppers and in-store teams with financial assistance as you take time away from shopping to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Eligible shoppers will receive $25 to ensure that, when the time comes, you don’t have to choose between earning income as an essential service provider or getting vaccinated.
To view your shopper verification letter and submit your request for the Vaccine Support Stipend, tap on “COVID-19 vaccine” in the Shopper app.
730,000+ Health and Safety Kits Distributed to Shoppers
While shoppers are awaiting their vaccine eligibility, don’t forget that health and safety kits are available to any active shopper, free of charge. The health and safety kits continue to include a multi-layer face mask that is washable and reusable, as well as a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer that will ship with a leak-proof seal. You can order your free kit directly from the Shopper app or by visiting the carrot store.
In the past two months alone, we’ve shipped an additional 110,000 of these to shoppers, bringing our total shipped to more than 730,000, and we look forward to shipping even more.
Committed to the Shopper Community
Along with health and safety kits and the COVID-19 Vaccine Support Stipend, shoppers have access to daily in-app wellness checks, free telemedicine consultations with Doctor on Demand, extended pay for those affected by COVID-19, and extensive health and safety guidelines. You can always visit the COVID-19 Resource Center for the latest information about what’s available. Thank you for your continued service and for being part of the shopper community.
