The rapid growth of the gig economy in India has generated new income opportunities but has simultaneously intensified concerns regarding social security, income volatility, and workers' dependence on government assistance programs. Gig workers, typically categorized as independent contractors, remain largely outside the ambit of formal labour protections and contributory social security schemes, which amplifies their exposure to income shocks, health contingencies, and employment insecurity. This study examines the impact of social security on gig workers' reliance on government assistance programs, with special reference to Indore city. Primary data were collected from 100 gig workers engaged with major digital platforms through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, regression analysis, and ANOVA. The results indicate a significant negative relationship between access to social security schemes (such as e‑Shram, Ayushman Bharat, and PM‑SYM) and dependence on government assistance, demonstrating that workers with social security coverage exhibit higher financial stability and lower reliance on public support. The findings highlight the need for integrated policy frameworks that extend social protection to gig workers and encourage platform-level co-contribution models. The paper concludes with policy, managerial, and practical recommendations aligned with UGC CARE publishing standards in the social sciences.
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