If you need a payday loan, make sure you know the laws before you borrow
If you’re short on cash and looking to borrow a small amount of money, you may be considering a payday loan. Payday loans have specific rules when it comes to how long you can borrow. Our guide helps you learn the ins and outs of payday lending in Utah.
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- Min. Loan Amount: $500
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How do payday loans in Utah work?
Utah Code Ann. 7-23-101 et seq., the Check Cashing Registration Act, governs the operation of all payday lenders in Utah. To provide payday loans to residents of Utah, a lender must register with the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. This rule applies to out-of-state lenders that wish to provide online payday advances in this state and in-state storefronts alike.
Utah law doesn’t specify the maximum you may borrow, but you are limited to a total loan term of ten weeks. You’ll have to read your loan contract very carefully when determining how much you’ll be required to pay because there is no limit on financing fees, charges or total APR in Utah.
Direct payday loan lenders in Utah must permit borrowers to make partial payments in increments of $5 at any time before the loan term expires at no additional charge.
You have the right to cancel a loan before 5 p.m. on the business day following when you received the loan.
Here are some lenders you can check out when looking to apply
Check the websites of any providers you’re interested in to confirm they operate in Utah.
Here’s what you’ll need to apply
Before you apply, you’ll need to have a regular source of income, be an American citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old.
If you meet those eligibility criteria, you’ll be able to apply most anywhere that lends payday loans. While all applications differ, they will require you to provide personal details about yourself, your bank account and your employment status. This can include your Social Security numbers, information from an ID and your employer’s contact information.
What are some other short-term options I could consider?
Baby Your Baby and the Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program are two assistance programs offered by the state of Utah to help with expenses. There may be others, so do your research before taking out more debt. It’s better to find help through a local program than to find yourself trapped paying for loans you can’t afford.
You may also want to ask family and friends for help, get a credit card cash advance if you can and seek credit counseling. These are cheaper ways to deal with your financial problems and can help you build better habits to avoid being stuck in debt in the future.
Our page on payday loan alternatives should help you find other options
Bottom line
When you’re stuck trying to afford regular bills and extra debt, a payday loan could be what you need to make it between paychecks. Knowing the laws in Utah and budgeting for the total cost will help you avoid further debt. Keep in mind that these are high-cost forms of credit and you should consider other options before settling on a payday loan.