Welcome to your benefits guide! Here, you can learn about the many Drivers Benefits brought to you by The Black Car Fund and the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG), at NO COST to eligible Lyft drivers!
Want to talk to a human instead? Call us at 1-833-814-8590.
Drivers Benefits is paid for by The Black Car Fund. Your passengers pay a small surcharge, on top of your service charge, tip, and state tax, on every ride completed in New York. That surcharge goes to The Black Car Fund for Workers’ Compensation, Vision and Dental Insurance and other health-related benefits for eligible* drivers. The Independent Drivers Guild also provides other Drivers Benefits, like affordable legal assistance from qualified traffic lawyers to help drivers fight NYPD and NJPD traffic violations.
Do you have any questions about Drivers Benefits? We’re here to help!
Give us a call at 1-833-814-8590
Or, email us at help@driversbenefits.org
*To view eligibility requirements, visit the “About Us” page
Or give us a call at 1-833-814-8590 with any questions
Consult with a medical provider any time, day or night, by phone, app or webcam for a number of conditions, including COVID-19 symptoms!
Avoid the time, expense, and exposure of going in-person to a medical office or Urgent Care facility.
Get prescriptions for non-controlled medications when you need them.
Telemedicine allows you to consult a medical provider by phone, app or webcam!
Using the Telemedicine service with MeMD’s network of US-licensed, board-certified medical providers, you can connect with a provider online from any location, and receive a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, including prescriptions** for common medications, when medically necessary.
While Telemedicine can help when you need medical attention, when your regular doctor is not available, on holidays and weekends, or when travel is difficult, it does not replace seeing a doctor in-person for your annual office visit, ongoing treatment and care.
What medical conditions can Telemedicine address?
-Abrasions, bruises
-Colds, flu and fever
-Sore throat, cough, congestion
-Allergies, hives, skin infections
-Bites and stings
-Minor headaches, arthritic pains
-Medication refills (short-term)**
-Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea
-Urinary tract infections
-Headaches, body aches
-Eye infections, conjunctivitis
-And more!
MeMD provides online medical consultations with physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who can write prescriptions when medically necessary and permitted by state law. MeMD is not an online pharmacy, and medications cannot be purchased or dispensed from MeMD directly. MeMD is not a replacement for your primary care physician or an annual doctor’s office visit. MeMD is available 24/7 nationwide, subject to state regulations.
**When medically necessary, MeMD providers can submit a prescription electronically for purchase and pick-up at your local participating pharmacy; however, MeMD providers cannot prescribe elective medications, narcotic pain relievers, or controlled substances. MeMD’s providers are each licensed by the appropriate licensing board for the state in which they are providing services and all have prescriptive authority for each of the states in which they are licensed.
Telemedicine is not available in WA.
VERY IMPORTANT: IN LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES, CALL 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room for treatment. If 911 services are not available in your area, call the local police/fire department or go directly to the nearest hospital or emergency room.
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your Telemedicine benefit.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
Vision coverage that helps you see clearly. Get your no cost routine annual eye exam and eyewear today!
*No cost routine eye exam once every year
*No cost eyeglasses every year from the GVS collection, including bifocals and trifocals
*Option to receive a fully covered 6-month supply of GVS Standard Disposable contact lenses in lieu of glasses
*30% off a second pair of complete eyeglasses (discount only applies to purchases at the time of benefit usage)
*Many locations to choose from!
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your Vision Insurance benefit.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
*No cost or copays for dental exam, x-rays and cleanings
*Emergency treatment for tooth pain
*Discounts on dental work! For instance, a crown costs $50.00. Removal of an impacted tooth in soft tissue costs $10.00.
*Your Dental Insurance will be available to you in the month after you activate!
To obtain detailed coverage information prior to enrollment including disclosures, limitations and exclusions, visit My Member Info.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
L0121010383[exp0122][CO,CT,DE,FL,MA,NJ,NY,PA,SC]
Are you feeling stressed by what’s happening in your life? IDG Mental Health and Wellness counselors can help. Their trained and licensed counselors can help you come up with new ways of reducing stress, build healthy relationships, gain confidence, confront fears, cope with grief, and overcome other challenges life throws in our path.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the City of New York’s NYCWELL 24/7 hotline at 1-888-692-9355 for immediate assistance.
Are you feeling stressed by what’s happening in your life? IDG Mental Health and Wellness counselors can help. Their trained and licensed counselors can help you come up with new ways of reducing stress, build healthy relationships, gain confidence, confront fears, cope with grief, and overcome other challenges life throws in your path.
IDG’s Mental Health and Wellness Program can also help you access free benefits and services, including:
*Applications for rent assistance and housing
*SNAP (food stamps) and other food assistance
*Financial assistance
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your benefits.
Provided by the Independent Drivers Guild with funding from The Black Car Fund
Save on prescription medications at thousands of participating pharmacies, including CVS, Duane Reade, RiteAid, Walgreens, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and more!
Reduce medication costs with Prescription Discounts
Medication costs can add up quickly, but you can reduce those costs with Prescription Discounts, available by mail and at participating pharmacies. You’ll save an average of 31% off the retail price of generic prescription medications and 15% off the retail price on brand name prescription medications at thousands of participating pharmacies including CVS, Duane Reade, RiteAid, Walgreens, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and more!
Enjoy even bigger savings and free standard shipping when you order your prescriptions by mail. The Mail Order Direct service lets you buy a 90-day supply of select medications for low, fixed prices through CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy.
This is NOT insurance. Members must pay for prescriptions at the time they are received. This benefit will provide savings over the normal cost of prescriptions. Mail order discounts are available only at CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy. CVS Caremark may obtain manufacturer rebates on your prescription drugs. These rebates may be retained by CVS Caremark to enable us to offer you low prices on medications through the Mail Order Direct program. Allow 10 – 14 days for delivery of your medication from the day you mail your order.
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your Prescription Discounts benefit.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
Access to discounts on Urgent Care services in Metropolitan New York City locations!
The quality care you need, the moment you need it. From sprained ankles, sore throats, cut fingers, bad allergies, whatever your injury or illness we’re here to help. Drivers Benefits members get access to negotiated discounts at participating Urgent Care locations.
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your Urgent Care Discounts benefit.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
If your doctor orders a diagnostic image for your care plan, you will have access to a network of providers who offer 20%-80% savings on MRI, CT, and PET Scans
Drivers Benefits members get access to substantial discounts on MRI, CT and PET procedures when using the network of participating providers.
*Savings of 20% to 80% on MRI, CT and PET scans.
*First Class Scheduling Service guides you through an easy and stress-free scheduling process.
First, you must call 1-833-814-8590 or enroll online to activate your Diagnostic Imaging Discounts benefit.
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
We connect you to free safety and health & wellness classes that will help you become a better driver. Drivers get paid $300 to complete the Defensive Driving Class every three years and they get a one-time payment of $150 to complete The Black Car Fund Wellness, Safety, and Education (STEP) Program.
*Several free classes are available at The Black Car Fund Wellness Center and the Independent Drivers Guild throughout the year
*Drivers get paid $300 to complete the Defensive Driving Class every three years.
*Drivers get a one-time payment of $150 to complete The Black Car Fund Wellness, Safety and Education (STEP) Program.
Call us at 1-833-814-8590 to sign up for any of the following classes:
*Eligible drivers receive $300 to take the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)-mandated Defensive Driving Class through The Black Car Fund.
*Eligible drivers receive $150 to take The Black Car Fund Wellness, Safety and Education (STEP) Program through The Black Car Fund. The wellness course is designed to help drivers improve their physical and mental health on the road.
Many other classes are available from the Independent Drivers Guild to drivers throughout the year, including:
*5-star Professional Service: learn how to get more 5-Star reviews from customers
*24-hour Universal License: get your Taxi and Limousine Commission license
Paid for by The Black Car Fund
Get deeply discounted legal assistance from a qualified traffic lawyer to help fight New York Taxi and Limousine Commission and NYPD traffic violations. Provided by the Independent Drivers Guild.
*Most NYC, NYPD, and TLC tickets can be fought for as little as $100
*You will get a discounted price for more complex and costly cases
*Legal assistance is also available if you’ve been in an accident while at work
Our Legal Assistance benefit is available for all drivers in NY State. We can help you connect to legal assistance for police issued tickets in New York State or New Jersey.
Using this benefit is easy! Call us at 1-833-814-8590 and we will connect you with a traffic lawyer.
A ticket from the TLC is as serious as a traffic ticket from the city or state. If you’re unsure how to deal with a TLC ticket, or if you need assistance with a ticket you’ve already received, please let us know.
Violations that we can help you with include: speeding, disregarding a red light or a stop sign, not having proof of insurance or registration, not having your certificate placed in the vehicle, talking or texting on a cell phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, making an illegal U-turn, and more!
Provided by the Independent Drivers Guild
If you’ve been in an accident, you may need help paying medical bills, replacing lost wages, talking to a lawyer, or filing an accident report. We can help.
*Get medical expenses and lost wages covered if you’re in a work-related accident
*Get help reporting your accident and applying for workers compensation
*Get a free consultation from an attorney in your city
If you get into an accident, immediately notify the necessary authorities. Then contact us at 1-833-814-8590 so we can provide the assistance and care you need to get back to work.
Some claims for injuries and lost wages must be filed within 30 days of the accident, so make sure to call us as soon as you can.
Provided by the Independent Drivers Guild
As you may know, The Black Car Fund provides drivers in the Black Car industry with workers’ compensation benefits. The Program is provided to you as a driver covered by The Black Car Fund and is not intended to provide you with any rights of employment or to otherwise affect your status as an independent contractor with respect to The Black Car Fund or with the dispatch base you are affiliated with. While we hope you will participate in the Program, the Program is entirely voluntary and you are not required to participate. If you are an employee driver, this Program is not sponsored or endorsed by your employer. The Program is not intended to be covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). The Black Car Fund reserves the right to revise or terminate this Program in whole or in part at any time, and for any reason
The Independent Drivers Guild is a Machinists Union affiliate that represents over 65,000 for-hire vehicle drivers in New York City. The IDG is the first nonprofit labor organization to negotiate a seat at the table with a rideshare company and the first to offer crucial new protections and essential benefits while building worker power.