Gas prices are absolutely crushing right now, and DoorDash is actually doing something about it. The San Francisco-based delivery giant just announced a temporary relief program for its US and Canadian drivers as the national average gas price climbed to $3.96 per gallon, a 35% jump in just one month. Yeah, that’s as wild as it sounds.

So what’s the deal? DoorDash drivers who have the company’s debit card will now get 10% cash back on gas purchases instead of the usual 2%. That might not sound like a lot, but when you’re spending hundreds on gas every month to deliver food across the Bay Area and beyond, that extra 8% actually adds up. The company says more than half of its drivers already have the card, so this could legitimately help a ton of people.

But wait, there’s more. If you’re putting in serious mileage, we’re talking 125 miles or more per week while making deliveries, you’ll get a weekly fuel payment starting at $5 and capping out at $15. In Canada, drivers are looking at up to $36 Canadian dollars per week depending on their miles. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s something, especially when you’re already stretching every dollar.

The reason gas prices are absolutely bonkers right now comes down to global politics. Oil prices have skyrocketed since the Iran war started on February 28th. Brent crude oil, the international standard, briefly hit over $119 per barrel last week, up from around $70 before the conflict began. Iran has been blocking most oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and attacking oil and gas facilities in the Persian Gulf region, which is basically a recipe for chaos at the pump.

Here’s the thing though: this relief is only temporary. Both programs are set to end on April 26th, so drivers better take advantage while they can. DoorDash actually did something similar back in 2022 when gas prices hit $4 per gallon, so this playbook isn’t exactly new.

The question everyone’s asking now is whether competitors will step up. GrubHub says they’re watching gas prices closely, but they haven’t announced anything yet. Uber and Lyft haven’t responded to requests for comment either. Back in 2022, both Uber and Lyft did introduce temporary gas surcharges for customers when prices spiked, so there’s precedent for the industry responding.

For delivery drivers in the Bay Area who are already dealing with the region’s expensive cost of living, this DoorDash move is a small but meaningful relief. Just don’t count on it lasting forever.