Language
English (en)
Publication Date
12-6-2025
Summary
Gig work has grown substantially in the United States in recent years. Although research has examined the relationship between participation in the gig economy and hardship, few studies examine how households’ reliance on gig work relates to hardship experiences. Drawing upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility survey of a nationally representative sample of low-wage workers, this brief explores the relationship between the proportion of a household’s income from gig work and indicators of financial distress: bill payment difficulties, food insufficiency, budget constraints, blood plasma sales, reliance on alternative financial services such as payday loans, and usage of buy-now-pay-later loans.
Document Type
Research Brief
Category
Financial Inclusion
Subarea
Income Policy
Original Citation
Brugger, L., Nixon, A. J., Kulkarni, A., Despard, M., Roll S. (2025). Hardships increase as households rely more on gig work (CSD Research Brief No. 25-67). Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Project
Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM)
Keywords
United States ; gig work ; Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility survey; gig work; employment; food insufficiency; buy-now-pay-later loans; auto-title loans; payday loans; pawnshop loans; alternative financial services; food insecurity; unemployment insurance; Earned income Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit ;
Recommended Citation
Brugger, L., Nixon, A. J., Kulkarni, A., Despard, M., Roll S. (2025). Hardships increase as households rely more on gig work (CSD Research Brief No. 25-67). Washington University, Center for Social Development.