How to Access Your Paycheck Early: 4 Reliable Options

Getting paid every two weeks — or even every week — doesn’t always fit into our lives. Emergencies happen whenever they want, not just on payday. Or, maybe some bills vary widely month to month (we’re looking at you, utility bills) and you can’t wait until payday to pay them. There are several reasons why you might want to know how to access your paycheck early — and there are several ways to do it.

We’re going to talk about four legitimate ways to get the money you worked for earlier than your normal payday. This could be through your bank or paycheck advance apps.

1.  Use a Paycheck Advance App Like Earnin 

The app Earnin makes it possible for you to access up to $150 a day or up to $750 per pay period based on hours worked. All you have to do is connect your bank account and verify direct deposits. Then, when your payday does come around, the app will automatically deduct the amount you accessed early.

Other app options include the money management app Cleo, which gets you a cash advance of up to $250, if you’re eligible. No interest or credit checks, either. Chime also has a feature that allows you to get paid up to two days early by signing up for direct deposit. Who doesn’t love options?

Pros 

• There are no mandatory fees.
• No credit check required.

Cons:

• There are limits on how much cash you can get in advance.
• Some apps require direct deposit and employment verification. Check individual requirements before signing up.

2. Get Early Access Through a Bank’s Direct Deposit Feature

Did you know some banks allow early direct deposit? That means your paycheck will be available to you up to two days before payday, depending on when your employer processes payroll. Early direct deposit banks include SoFi, Wealthfront and Capital One. But it depends on which kind of account you have, so make sure you check that it’s the one you’re looking for before signing up.

Pros:

• No fees or loans involved.
• Works automatically with qualifying banks.

Cons:

• Requires employer participation in direct deposit.
• This may not be available for all banks or account types.

3. Use a 0% Interest Credit Card and Pay It Off When You Get Paid

This wouldn’t be your literal paycheck in your hands, but paying for something with a 0% interest credit card then paying it off when your paycheck does come is a great short-term cash flow solution. These types of cards offer a promotional period during which no interest is charged. That means you won’t be paying interest on the purchase as long as you pay it off during the promotional period, and you may even earn some rewards on the purchase. Not a bad result when you need to get paid before payday. 

To find the best 0% interest APR credit cards, check out our list here. 

Pros:

• You don’t pay interest as long as you pay it off before the promotional period ends.
• You’ll get a higher borrowing limit than paycheck advance apps.

Cons:

• Requires good credit for approval.
• The whole no interest thing is temporary and will apply if you don’t repay it on time.

4. Request an Employer Payroll Advance

If you want to know how to access your paycheck early, you could request a payroll advance from your employer. Some companies offer this benefit, allowing employees to access a portion of their next paycheck ahead of the scheduled payday. There are a couple of ways they do this. Some employers have workers formally request an advance through their human resources department. Additionally, many companies partner with earned wage access programs like DailyPay, Even and PayActiv. If you’re not sure whether or not your company offers this, it can’t hurt to talk with them about it.

Pros:

• You don’t pay interest and there’s no credit check.
• It usually comes with minimal or no fees.

Cons

• Not all employers will offer this option.
• The advances are deducted from your next paycheck, so you have to factor that in when budgeting.