AMAZON AID RECIPIENTS TRIPLE AS GIG WORK DOMINATES

The GAO analysis reveals a significant shift in which major employers have workforces dependent on federal benefits. Amazon's dramatic increase reflects broader trends in how large companies structure employment relationships. Ride-hailing and delivery platforms—including services like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash—emerged as the leading sectors, with workers regularly accessing food stamps, Medicaid, and other assistance programs. The findings underscore ongoing debates about wage levels in the gig economy and traditional retail sectors. When major employers' workforces rely on public assistance, taxpayers effectively subsidize corporate labor costs. The study covers a five-year span marked by pandemic-era economic disruption, inflation, and shifting consumer behavior toward app-based services. The data suggests structural issues in how compensation is set across multiple industries, rather than temporary pandemic effects.