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What is earned wage access?
Earned wage access (EWA) lets you reach part of the pay you have already earned before your scheduled payday. You worked the hours, the money is owed to you, and EWA closes the gap between when you earn it and when payroll pays it out.
The short answer
Most people are paid every one or two weeks, but bills do not wait for payroll. Earned wage access lets you get paid before payday by transferring a portion of wages you have already earned. When your paycheck arrives, the amount you accessed is collected, and nothing more.
Earned wage access is not a loan
A loan gives you money you have not earned yet and charges interest for the privilege. Earned wage access works with money you have already earned. That is why reputable EWA providers charge no interest and run no credit check.
Two common types of EWA
Earned wage access comes in two broad forms:
- Employer-integrated: your employer partners with a provider that reads hours from payroll. You can only use it if your employer offers it.
- Direct-to-consumer: you sign up yourself and the provider verifies your income through your bank. Your employer does not need to be involved. PayBridger works this way.
What earned wage access can cost
Costs vary by provider. Common models include a monthly membership, an optional fee for faster delivery, or optional tips. Always check a provider's current pricing page before you sign up. You can see PayBridger's on our homepage.
Is earned wage access right for you?
EWA can be a useful payday loan alternative or cash advance alternative when you need to cover a bill a few days before payday. It works best as a short bridge, not as a regular way to stretch every paycheck.
See the earned wages available to you
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Common questions
- Is earned wage access a loan?
- No. Earned wage access gives you wages you have already earned. There is no interest and no credit check with PayBridger.
- Does my employer need to sign up?
- Not with PayBridger. We verify your income through your bank, so your employer does not need to take part.
- How is it repaid?
- The amount you accessed is collected automatically from your next paycheck, and equals exactly what you accessed.
Keep reading
PayBridger is not a payday lender, not a cash advance provider, and not a loan. PayBridger provides access to wages you have already earned and are owed by your employer. No interest is charged. No credit check is required. Repayment is collected automatically from your next paycheck and equals exactly what you accessed, nothing more.