Question 1

What is Helpa?

Accepted Answer

Helpa is a Jamaican marketplace that connects people who need everyday tasks done (Posters) with people willing to do them (Helpers). We handle discovery, messaging, offers and trust — the work itself is between you.

Question 2

Is Helpa free to use?

Accepted Answer

Browsing, posting and offering are free. Helpa only charges a 15% booking fee to the Poster when an offer is accepted.

Question 3

Who can join?

Accepted Answer

Anyone in Jamaica aged 18 or over. Helpers taking on tasks with a budget of JMD 10,000 or more must complete ID verification first.

Question 4

How does the 15% booking fee work?

Accepted Answer

When you accept a helper's offer, Helpa charges the Poster 15% of the task price. The remainder is paid directly to the helper.

Question 5

How do I pay the helper?

Accepted Answer

Cash, bank transfer, or whatever both of you agree on. Discuss it in-app once the offer is accepted.

Question 6

When do I get paid as a helper?

Accepted Answer

Directly from the poster, on completion or as agreed. Your Earnings page logs every completed task for your records.

Question 7

Can I cancel a task after accepting a helper?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Within 12 hours of accepting and before the helper starts, you get a full booking-fee refund. After that, the fee is non-refundable.

Question 8

The helper didn't show up. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Hit the Report button on the task, pick No-show / ghosting, and add a short note. If we confirm the helper is at fault, we refund the booking fee within 5 business days.

Question 9

I'm a helper and can't do the task anymore.

Accepted Answer

Use Release task as early as you can — it goes back to open so the poster can find someone else. Repeated releases affect your rating and access to new tasks.

Question 10

How does dispute resolution work?

Accepted Answer

File a report from the task or the person's profile. We acknowledge within 48 hours, investigate, and resolve within 5 business days with a clear outcome. Both sides see the same plain-language decision on their My disputes page.

Question 11

Will the other person know I reported them?

Accepted Answer

We don't reveal who filed the report. We may need to ask them questions to investigate, but your identity is not shared.

Question 12

Can I appeal a decision?

Accepted Answer

During beta, our decision on booking-fee refunds is final. For serious issues (suspension, safety), email hello@helpajamaica.com and we'll take a second look.

Question 13

Where do I see the status of my dispute?

Accepted Answer

Go to My disputes. You'll see every report you filed, every report about you, and every report on a task you're part of — with its current status and outcome.

Question 14

Why is ID verification required for bigger tasks?

Accepted Answer

Tasks with a budget of JMD 10,000 or more can only be taken by verified helpers. It protects posters from scams and lets serious helpers stand out.

Question 15

Can I share my phone number or WhatsApp in messages?

Accepted Answer

Not before an offer is accepted. Messages that contain phone numbers, emails, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. are blocked to protect against scams and off-platform circumvention.

Question 16

What happens if someone breaks the rules?

Accepted Answer

Depending on severity: warning, temporary suspension, or permanent ban. Serious incidents (fraud, violence) are referred to authorities.

Questions & answers

Getting started

Payments & fees

Cancellations & refunds

Disputes

Safety & trust