Need Money Now? Here Are 5 Ways to Get Your Paycheck Ahead of Time

You’re currently facing an emergency and need cash fast — maybe you ran out of groceries for the week or are stuck on the road and need to stay over a few nights. But, you don’t want an expensive borrowing option.

Instead, consider getting a pay advance. You could access cash this way for lots of reasons — not just for emergencies. Maybe you need to pay a medical expense, the rent is due, or your utility bill needs to be paid before payday.

While this cash solution has its advantages, not all pay access is the same. Some may be more flexible, safer, and faster than others.

This guide explains how a pay advance works, what it can mean for employees, as well as alternative ways you can access your earned wages before payday.

What are the ways to get your wages ahead of payday?

Wage access typically allows you to get the money you’ve earned ahead of your regular payday. You can do this in several different ways, including:

Employer-sponsored payroll advance programs like Payactiv
Directly through your employer
Salary advance loans from a credit union
Earned wage access (EWA) apps
Third-party payday lenders (a high-risk option)

When people refer to a "pay advance," however, they could be referring to many different things. We break down the five most common ways to get your wages ahead of payday.

5 ways to get cash ahead of payday

1. Payroll advance programs

Payroll advance programs are available if your employer opts to use a platform like Payactiv or ADP to let you access your earned income before your actual payday. Your employer will have outlined the exact process for employees to get their wages in advance. Speak with your company’s HR department to see what the policies are and what you need to do to opt in.

Typically, you and your employer need to have an agreement in writing to activate a payroll advance program. You may also be on the hook for any small administrative fees that your employer pays to maintain the program. Lastly, there may also be limits as to how many advances you can request and a maximum amount you can get in advance.

Since payroll advance programs are integrated with your employer’s payroll system, it may be an easy way to request funds once you log into the platform.

2. Asking your employer directly

If your employer doesn't have a formal pay advance program, you could try asking them directly for an advance. Review your employee handbook first to see if there are any internal policies on the topic or consider asking HR about the possibility.

The risk is that if there is no standard process set by your employer, you may not be able to get an advance. Or, the approval process or amount you receive could vary each time you ask. Your employer could have you pay the amount back through a payroll deduction.

3. Credit union salary advance loans

Credit unions may offer salary advance loans if you receive your paycheck through direct deposit to any of the financial institution’s accounts. You will need to be a member of the credit union to open an account and membership requirements can vary.

For example, some credit unions will accept members who live in a certain area, are employees of certain companies, or make a donation to one of their partner nonprofits.

The amount you can access could be a fixed amount or up to a certain percentage of your paycheck. Like payday loans, you will need to pay interest — but it’s generally lower.

You will most likely need to apply for a salary advance loan, so it may not be the quickest option if you need money fast.

4. Earned wage access (EWA) apps

Earned wage access (EWA) apps follow a model that isn't tied to any employer platforms. They let you request funds earned through your job that will then be repaid when your next paycheck drops. Some examples of these types of apps include Dave, Earnin, and Empower.

One of the main advantages of EWA apps is that you don’t need to go through a credit check, and you won’t be charged interest. The amount you will get is based on your expected pay or the number of hours you’ve worked.

Most of these EWA apps offer fast funding and are flexible since you can make a request at any time. Many don’t charge mandatory fees — and if there is a fee, it’s typically a small, one-time or monthly fee.

5. Payday loans (a high-risk option)

Payday loans are short-term loans given by lenders that are due on your next payday. You don’t need to go through a credit check and loan approvals are usually fast. You will however, need to pay high interest charges — often with triple-digit APRs.

Another major risk of payday loans is that they can get you caught in a debt trap. That’s because some lenders allow you to automatically roll over your loan on the payment due date if you can't pay. If you opt for the renewal, then you could pay additional fees and more interest on the amount you’ve borrowed.

Payday loans are often referred to or marketed as a cash advance, but they can be predatory in nature and not the same as accessing your earned wages.

Pay advance vs. cash advance

Getting a cash advance typically means borrowing from your credit card. You can access your advance by taking your credit card and withdrawing cash from an ATM, similar to how you would with your bank’s debit card. Other options include writing a check provided by your credit card issuer or requesting a cash advance online.

Cash advances, like payday loans, usually charge a lot of interest. However, there isn’t a specific payment due date, and you’ll be charged interest until the loan is paid in full.

Pay advances differ from both cash advances and payday loans in that they can access wages you've already earned, so they may not charge interest or fees. Some may require you go through an application process or get approval from your employer.

How to choose the right option

Choosing the right pay access method will depend on factors such as when you need access to cash, how soon you want to pay it back, and whether your employer offers the service.

Some options may need some prep work. For instance, your employer may require you to set up a paycheck advance feature on its payroll platform, or your credit union may ask you to submit an application ahead of time.

If you need funds fast and haven’t set anything up ahead of time, then you can consider EWA apps. For example, one EarnIn customer had an unexpected paycheck delay and needed the money for groceries. EWA allowed the customer to quickly access their pay before payday. "The ability to access your pay before payday is just necessary sometimes!" said the EarnIn user.

Don’t forget to think about how much you’re willing to pay for fast access to cash. Payday loans and cash advances often charge high interest rates. Payroll advance programs may charge a small administrative fee. EWA apps may be the best alternative if you want to avoid fees and borrow a small amount to bridge your paydays — as EWA apps often don’t charge you anything.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Getting a pay advance when you’re in a pinch can make sense, especially if you need it to pay bills that are due before your next paycheck. Examples include needing cash for prescriptions or utility bills that happen to fall before payday.

However, you’ll want to avoid common pitfalls like relying on payday loans repeatedly, which can come with risks like paying high interest charges. You could continue to be in debt for a lot longer than you’d like — especially if you keep rolling over the loan.

Even if you avoid payday loans, you need to be clear on other fees beforehand. Many payroll advance programs are free, but not all — and yours may charge you one. Not having that understanding means you could be paying a fee you may not have budgeted for.

Don’t forget that you need to have enough cash in your bank account when the pay advance is due. If not, you could risk overdrawing your account and your bank charging overdraft fees.

Why EarnIn may be the safer, easier option

Choosing EarnIn could be a safer choice compared to other cash options out there. You don’t have to worry about setting up anything with your employer, and you don’t have to go through a credit check. Plus, there’s zero interest and no mandatory fees.

Hourly workers could especially benefit from Earnin because they often have inconsistent pay. With EarnIn’s Cash Out¹ feature, you can get up to $150/day, with a maximum of $750 between paydays. No strings. To get access to your pay in minutes, try Lightning Speed² for just $3.99 a transaction.

EarnIn also has an Early Pay³ option, where your paycheck can be regularly deposited into your account up to two days earlier, for a $2.99 fee.

Learn more about EarnIn’s Cash Out¹tool to see if it can be a good option for you.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a payroll advance and a payroll loan?

A payroll advance is an advance of your earned wages, and you pay it back on your next payday. A payroll loan is for larger amounts that may not be tied to your wages and can be repaid over a longer period of time.

Can you get a pay advance more than once?

Yes, you can get a pay advance multiple times, but it will depend on the lender.

What happens if you leave your job before repaying a payroll advance?

You may either have to pay the money back from your last paycheck or do so separately.

Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.

This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.

EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.

This testimonial was given without compensation, and the opinions reflect a genuine EarnIn experience.

¹
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out.

EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.

²
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.

³
Early Pay is an optional feature that allows you to access your paycheck up to two days early. To use Early Pay, you must:

1. Open a Deposit Account with one of our bank partners, Evolve Bank & Trust or Lead Bank, both Member FDIC. Funds held in the Deposit Account are held with our partner banks, and are insured up to $250,000 in the event the bank partner fails and if specific deposit insurance requirements are met. Learn more here; and

2. Update your direct deposit routing with your employer. This Deposit Account will receive your paycheck and will redirect it to the bank account linked to your EarnIn account. Before transferring, EarnIn will set aside the necessary funds from your paycheck to cover any tips, Lightning Speed fees, and Cash-Out balances from the previous pay period (the “Balances”). Any remaining funds will be transferred to your linked bank account. If your paycheck does not fully cover the Balances, EarnIn may debit the remaining amount from your linked external bank account, as allowed in the Transfer Out Payment Authorization. Fees. If you opt for Lightning Speed transfers, our bank partner will charge you a $2.99 fee to transfer your paycheck to your linked bank account on the same day your employer processes payroll, which may be up to 2 days before your scheduled payday. If you do not opt for Lightning Speed transfers, our bank partner will automatically transfer your paycheck to your linked bank account for free, by your regular payday. Early Pay is available to eligible EarnIn members in select states. Additional restrictions may apply. For more information, please refer to our FAQ.