- Borrow up to $150/day, with a max of $1000 between paydays
- No credit check
- No monthly fees or interest
- Connect bank account to access cash advance

By
Bethany HickeyEdited by
Megan B. ShepherdReviewed by
Lacey StarkUpdated
Good for 0% interest cash advances
Good for quick turnaround
Good for small advances
Payday loans can be a quick solution when you’re facing an emergency or unable to cover a bill — but they aren’t your only choice. From local resources to credit unions, there are alternatives that can help you stay out of long-term debt when you’re facing short-term financial problems.
In general, yes. The price for convenience is crushing interest rates, which can be 400% or more. Fees can add up quickly, especially if you find yourself returning to payday loan centers repeatedly. When each future paycheck is going toward paying off your payday loans, you could very easily get stuck in a cycle of debt.
While some people are able to repay a payday loan and be done with it, the majority struggle to keep up — making payday loans a dangerous form of credit. In most cases, these alternatives are cheaper and less risky. For example, cash advance apps compared to payday loans offer borrowers a way to quick cash without interest or excessive fees.
Payday loans are notorious for high rates — and if you’re already in a financial pinch, it could lead to a cycle of debt. Consider these 11 alternatives before committing to a payday lender.
| Alternative | How it works | Details | Best for … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payday alternative loan (PAL) | A PAL is an inexpensive short-term loan. It acts as an alternative to high-cost payday loans and is regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). | Amounts typically between $200 to $1,000. APRs are capped at 28% by the NCUA. | People who are already members of a credit union that offers PALs and can wait multiple business days for funds. |
| Debt relief companies or credit counseling | A credit counselor, community assistance program or other nonprofit can help you create a budget and a debt repayment plan. | Can involve credit counseling, consolidation, debt management, debt settlement or bankruptcy services. | People who consistently need to borrow, have difficulty budgeting, are on a limited income or who have unmanageable debt. |
| Negotiate with your creditors | Contact the company and explain that you’re having trouble keeping up with your debt. | Your creditor may help you create a repayment plan or extend your due date to ease your financial burden. | People who need short-term relief from their current debt. |
| Cash advance apps | Download a cash advance app, create an account and verify income. | Payday advance amounts largely depend on your income, and some apps charge monthly fees. | People who have steady employment and predictable income deposits. |
| Debt consolidation | Combine two or more debts together into one loan. | Most consolidation loans are done with a personal loan or balance transfer credit card. | People with high-interest debt looking to combine payments or get a lower APR. |
| Credit card cash advance | Withdraw cash from your credit card’s available balance. | Average credit card rates are around 21%, but intro periods can be 0% for a limited time. | People who already have a credit card and haven’t maxed out their limit. |
| Employer advance | The employer advances a portion of your paycheck. Some companies might also have financing programs for their employees or provide a cash advance app as a benefit. | Your employer might need to participate in the program to qualify. Some also limit how much you can borrow to money you’ve already earned during your current pay period. | People who have consistent work hours and a good relationship with their company. |
| Side gigs | Side gigs can include ridesharing, freelancing services, delivering groceries or food, etc. | Many side hustles allow you to work when you’re able and are paid hourly, such as ridesharing. | People who have free time and are able to commit to a side gig. |
| Ask friends or family for help | Consider asking your friends or family to help cover short-term financial needs. | You likely won’t have to pay interest on the money you borrow. But you may risk your relationship if you frequently ask for help but fail to repay. | People who have a strong social network and can reliably repay a small loan. |
| Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) | Some local banks, credit unions and loan funds offer small-dollar loans to members of the communities they serve, known as CDFIs. | Might require you to live in a certain area, work in a certain industry or be a member of a particular demographic to qualify for a loan. | People who live near a CDFI, and have a credit score of 600+, and are cashflow positive. |
| Lending circle | Join a lending circle, decide on terms, pay into the pool and take turns borrowing. | Terms are decided by the other members of the lending circle, but it’s generally considered a low-cost borrowing option. | People who have enough money to contribute to the circle each month and don’t need a fast loan. |
Select your state from the list below to see local resources that offer free financial services and help with everyday expenses.
| State | Resources |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Department of Human Resources – Food Assistance Division
Food Assistance Division in Alabama operates the state's Food Stamp Program. If you're in an eligible low-income household, you could receive a monthly benefit to buy groceries.
|
| Alaska | Food Stamp Program
This federal and state funded program offers food assistance to eligible households in Alaska.
|
| Arizona | Cash Assistance Program
If you are an eligible low-income family with children, Arizona's Cash Assistance Program can provide support programs and temporary cash benefits to help meet basic needs.
|
| Arkansas | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligilbe households with the cost of heating and cooling their homes. If you are low-income, disabled, or an elderly resident, you could be eligible for utility benefits or inexpensive weatherization services to reduce your future energy costs.
|
| California | California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
CalWORKS operates a state-wide welfare program. This program provides cash assistance to cover the basic needs of low-income families. Eligible Californians can receive either short-term or ongoing monthly assistance to cover the costs of medical expenses, food, shelter, and utilities.
|
| Colorado | Low Income Energy and Heating Assistance (LEAP)
Through the months of Novermber to May, Colorado's Low Income Energy and Heating Assistance helps low-income residents with the cost of their energy needs.
|
| Connecticut | Food Stamp Program
Connecticut's Food Stamp Program provides eligible low-income residents with a monthly Electronic Benefits transfer (EBT) to cover a portion of your food cost.
|
| Delaware | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families as determined by state regulations. This program aims to further provide employment services to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Florida | Florida Food Assistance Program
This program, administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families, helps low-income households in Florida pay for nutritious food through financial assistance.
Florida Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). Florida DCF also administers the TCA program, which provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 (or 19 if still in high school), as long as they meet income and other requirements.
|
| Georgia | HomeSafe Georgia
HomeSafe Georgia assists unemployed residents and those whose income has significantly decreased by providing temporary mortgage assistance.
|
| Hawaii | LIHEAP in Hawaii
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to assist low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating and cooling cost through financial assistance and inexpensive weatherization services.
|
| Idaho | Ada County Indigent Services
Ada County Indigent Services operates a county-wide welfare service. This program provides assistance to cover the basic needs of low-income families including medical bills and rent.
|
| Illinois | Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps eligible Illinois families pay for home energy services — primarily heat during the winter.
|
| Indiana | Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Between mid November and May, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps eligible individuals and households in meeting their energy needs through financial assistance.
|
| Iowa | Food Assistance Program
The Food Assistance program offers healthy food to low income families in need to promote proper nutrition.
|
| Kansas | Kansas Department of Children and Families
The Kansas Department of Children and Families provides financial assistance to parents or guardians who require child care and are unable to cover the cost themselves.
|
| Kentucky | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formally known as Food Stamps. This program provides funding to low income households and the unemployed to buy nutritious food.
|
| Louisiana | Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP)
This temporary assistance program offers low-income families with children cash assistance to meet their basic needs.
|
| Maine | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to assist homeowners or renters who are low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating cost.
|
| Maryland | Temporary Cash Assistance
This program administers cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families with dependents to meet basic needs. This program aims to further provide preparation programs to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Massachusetts | SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formally known as Food Stamps. This program provides funding to low income households and the unemployed to buy nutritious food.
|
| Michigan | Michigan Home Heating Assistance Programs
This list provided by the Departments of Human Services in Michigan gives residents access to a variety of financial assistance programs with relation to home energy costs.
|
| Minnesota | Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) aims to assist low-income homeowners and renters with their heating costs through financial benefits
|
| Mississippi | TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families with children up to the age of 18. This program aims to further provide employment services to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Missouri | Food Stamps
The federal and state funded Food Stamp Program provides eligible households with food assistance through Missouri Electronic Benefits transfer (EBT). If you're in an eligible low-income household, you could receive these benefits to cover a portion of your food cost.
|
| Montana | Low-Income Energy Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to assist low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating cost through financial assistance.
|
| Nebraska | Nebraska Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to assist low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating and cooling cost through financial assistance and inexpensive weatherization services.
|
| Nevada | The Community Food Bank of Clark County
The Community Food Bank of Clark County service helps by providing food to low-income Las Vegas residents and unemployed individuals.
|
| New Hampshire | Medicaid Program
The federally funded program Medicaid provides funding for medical and healthcare services for eligible citizens with limited resources. To qualify, residents must meet a certain level of income, resources and citizenship.
|
| New Jersey | New Jersey Food Stamps
The federal and state funded Food Stamp Program provides eligible households with food assistance through monthly food benefits. If you're in an eligible low-income household, you could receive these benefits to cover a portion of your food cost.
|
| New Mexico | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families as determined by state regulations. This program aims to further provide employment services to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| New York | Food Bank for New York City. Using donations and funding through the help of corporations, nonprofits and government organizations this food bank service helps by providing food, support services and information to low-income and unemployed individuals across New York City.
|
| North Carolina | Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to assist low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating and cooling costs through yearly financial assistance and crisis services for those needing immediate utility services.
|
| North Dakota | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formerly known as Food Stamps. This program provides funding to low income households and the unemployed to buy nutritious food.
|
| Ohio | Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) run by the Ohio Development Services Agency's Office of Community Assistance (OCA) aims to assist low-income residents with home heating costs through financial assistance.
|
| Oklahoma | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families or guardians with children as determined by state regulations. This program aims to further provide employment services and programs to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Oregon | Oregon HEAT
Operating as a nonprofit organization, Oregon HEAT provides energy education and resources for low income residents and residents in emergency situations to meet their basic utility needs.
|
| Pennsylvania | Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families with children as determined by state regulations. This program aims to further provide employment services to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Rhode Island | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formally known as Food Stamps. This program provides funding to low income households and the unemployed to buy nutritious food.
|
| South Carolina | Family Independence Program
The Family Independence (FI) is a program that temporarily helps families with dependants who are unable to meet basic needs by providing financial assistance, employment services, and training.
|
| South Dakota | Low Income Energy Assistance
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) aims to assist low-income, disabled, or elderly residents with home heating and cooling cost through yearly financial assistance and crisis services for those needing immediate utility services.
|
| Tennessee | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance benefits to eligible low-income families as determined by state regulations. This program aims to further provide employment services to ensure cash assistance is a temporary solution.
|
| Texas | North Texas Food Bank. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) offers education and food products through various non-profit organizations across Texas in order to provide nutritious food for those who need it.
|
| Utah | Baby Your Baby
Baby Your Baby aims to provide temporary financial assistance to pregnant women to cover a protion of the cost of prenatal care.
|
| Vermont | Medicaid
Medicaid provides funding for medical and healthcare services for eligible citizens as specified by state restrictions. To qualify, residents must meet a certain level of income, age, and health status.
|
| Virginia | Energy Assistance (EA)
The Energy Assistance program of Virginia offers emergency energy services when eligible residents are unable to meet their home heating needs.
|
| Washington | Emergency Food Network
The Emergency Food Network offers access to more than 70 programs for low income residents seeking emergency food assistance.
|
| Washington DC | Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Lifeline
Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) Hunger Lifeline program aids individuals in need of emergency food assistance through a referral program within their network of partners.
|
| West Virginia | West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formally known as Food Stamps. This program provides monthly funding to low income households and unemployed residents to buy nutritious food.
|
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Home Heating Assistance Programs
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) helps eligible households with the cost of heating their homes. If you are low-income, disabled, or an elderly resident, you could be eligible for utility benefits.
|
| Wyoming | Wyoming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Wyoming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program formally known as Food Stamps. This program provides monthly funding to low income households and unemployed residents to buy nutritious food as well as providing connections to other assistance programs.
|
Each state has a number of nonprofit and government programs dedicated to helping those struggling to make ends meet. We chose these resources based on their mission and dedication to providing financial assistance for food, housing and other everyday expenses.
Many also offer cash assistance that can help you budget for regular expenses while giving you some space to save for emergencies. And finally, many also offer education and advice to help you make better financial decisions — which could put you on the path toward financial freedom.
Not every alternative out there is a good solution. These lending methods are considered risky, either due to the collateral required or the high rates, and should be considered a last resort borrowing option.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseThe Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best short-term loans for all credit types, you can see how each short-term loan stacks up against other short-term loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.
When money is tight, the last thing you need is pressure to use your hard-earned cash to pay multiple fees and high interest. Explore your alternatives first before deciding whether to take out a payday loan.
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio
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What options for a loan…Income retired expense. Senior City Housing
Hello Royal Timothy Corbin,
Thanks for your question! If you’re retired, you might want to check out our page on getting a loan while on a pension.
I hope this was helpful!
Cheers,
Anna