Empowering Independence: Lyft’s Tech-Driven Transportation Solution for HCBS Participants
Benefits of Home and Community-Based Services
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are state Medicaid programs that support individuals with developmental disabilities, or other needs related to aging, mobility, or health, helping them live independently and complete daily activities.
HCBS programs empower individuals to take control of their care, pursue personal goals like employment and home ownership, and actively participate in their communities. Consistent support from case managers plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and successful transitions towards greater independence.
Advantages of Lyft Pass for Public Funding
Transportation is commonly included in HCBS state waiver programs as a covered benefit for eligible participants. Traditionally, individuals relied on several key transportation options: public transit systems like buses and trains, caregivers and family, and shared-ride options such as high-occupancy vans or fleet services. While essential, these options can present limitations. Public transit has fixed routes and schedules that don’t always align with individual needs, caregiver availability can vary, and shared-ride services can lack immediacy and personalized routing.
Lyft Pass for Public Funding (LPPF) — Lyft’s innovative and newly revamped transportation solution — better meets the needs of HCBS organizations and the individuals they serve. LPPF was created to solve:
- Operational Management - Taking the burden off administrators by providing a streamlined solution to manage all of the aspects of transportation for waiver participants.
- Participant Experience - Giving independence and control of their transportation, LPPF provides an innovative transportation solution that empowers participants to conveniently request on-demand rides themselves.
LPPF has become the product-of-choice for HCBS organizations looking for more efficient transportation offerings. Furthermore, LPPF is designed for Medicaid compliance, with Lyft’s driver network rigorously screened against the OIG and SAM exclusion lists to mitigate risk and help ensure regulatory alignment.
Here’s how it works:
- HCBS organizations create personalized programs for each participant within the organization’s Lyft Business Portal — including monthly budgets, specific ride types, and pickup and dropoff locations.
- Riders use their Lyft app to order rides covered by the LPPF up to their budgeted amount every month.
Dakota County: a Lyft Case Study
Lyft has achieved remarkable success in Minnesota, particularly through its years-long partnership with Dakota County Social Services. Initially, Dakota County designed the program using an Innovations Grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide access to Lyft rides for individuals eligible for HCBS waivers to get to and from work. Following the program’s early success, the county expanded its efforts to include access to Lyft rides for community access as well.
Today, Dakota County oversees transportation services for more than 2,000 participants through the LPPF program. The county conducts biannual surveys of all Lyft users to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. The most recent findings from July 2025 show the positive impact rideshare access has had on participants’ lives.
- 85% of surveyed respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with Lyft (versus 0% with transportation options before Lyft)
- 87% of respondents confirmed LPPF reduced their transportation barrier
- 67% of respondents said Lyft was less stressful and more reliable than their previous mode of transportation
Furthermore, some survey respondents expanded on how Lyft has positively impacted their lives:
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this service. My depression has decreased so much just knowing I can get out of my house safely. Prior to having Lyft as an option, I never left and missed out so much.”
“It helped me hold down a steady job, and stay sober for 2 ½ years.”
“Everyone deserves seamless access to transportation. We’re honored to work with leading HCBS organizations, such as Dakota County, to offer innovative, tech-driven solutions that empower individuals to live more independently, enhance their quality of life, and move through the world like anyone else.”
—Betty Yen, Head of Healthcare and Community Access Partnerships at Lyft
Visit our website to learn more about LPPF.
Lyft provides innovative, technology-driven transportation solutions for HCBS organizations that enhance mobility, promote independence, and help improve the overall quality of life for waiver participants.