Why Financial Well-Being Programs Can't Close the Stability Gap
Nearly two out of three workers are living paycheck to paycheck — and that’s before an emergency hits. Meanwhile, 49% of employers believe they’re supporting employee financial wellness at the highest level while only 28% of employees agree.
So, what’s missing?
Canary’s latest Strengthening the Safety Net report examines what’s driving that disconnect. The findings are telling: 93% of grant recipients felt better about their employer after receiving relief — even though 57% said the grant didn’t fully cover their need.
The benefit isn’t just financial. It’s foundational.
A look at the last year of grant making
- Housing insecurity hit a new high: 23% of grantees needed help with eviction or forced move — up 8 points from 2024, the highest level Canary has ever recorded
- Financial stress crosses income lines: 80% of grantees came from households earning under $69,000, yet grant requests came from workers at every salary level
- When a crisis hits, most employees have no good options: 53% said they couldn’t have covered their expenses without the grant
- Even partial support changes everything: 93% of recipients felt better about their employer, even when the grant didn’t fully cover their need
Ready to see the impact of employee relief in the workplace?
Learn why the HR and Benefits teams at DoorDash, Ocean Spray, Visionworks, and more know employee well-being starts with reducing employee financial stress and investing in financial stability.