To apply for a cash advance loan, also called a payday loan, you generally need:
- A valid photo ID
- Steady, verifiable income
- An active checking or savings account
- To be at least 18 years old, or 19 in Alabama
Your income is one of the main factors we look at because it shows that you can repay the loan. It does not have to come from a traditional job. Income from employment, gig work, self-employment, a pension, Social Security, disability, unemployment, or other verifiable sources may count.
In many cases, showing about $800 or more in monthly income may be enough to get started. Approval is not guaranteed, and the amount you may qualify for depends on your state’s law and your ability to repay.
Bad or limited credit does not automatically stop you from applying. These are short-term loans and can come with a high APR, so review the total cost before you borrow.
You can start online without a hard credit check to see if you pre-qualify.
Your Requirements Checklist
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, payday lenders generally look for a few basic things: your ID, proof of income, a bank account, and that you meet the minimum age requirement.
When you apply with Superb Cash Advance, here’s what to have ready:
- Personal info: a government photo ID, your Social Security number or ITIN, and proof of address, such as a utility bill or a lease
- Age and state: at least your state’s minimum age, and living in one of the states where we offer loans
- Steady income: proof that it arrives on a regular schedule, such as pay stubs or bank statements
- Banking details: routing and account numbers for a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, or an eligible prepaid card; app-based accounts usually do not work
- Contact info: a working phone number and email address
Under the Military Lending Act, covered borrowers are not eligible for products exceeding a 36% Military APR.
What Proof of Income Can You Use?
To show your income, you can often use bank statements with your regular deposits. In many cases, we can pull this information directly from your bank account online.
The other documents you may need depend on how you get paid:
- From a job: your recent pay stubs
- From gig or rideshare work: the app’s earnings statement. If your pay changes week to week, bank statements from the last few months can show your pattern.
- From self-employment: 1099s or tax returns from the past year or two
- From Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or VA benefits: your benefit award letter
- From a pension: a pension statement
- From unemployment benefits: your benefit letter, as long as your benefits will still be coming after your loan’s due date
Which Bank Accounts and Prepaid Cards Work?
A checking or savings account at a bank or credit union usually works best. We generally cannot send funds to app-based accounts.
In most states, your bank account is where we send your loan funds and where the scheduled repayment is taken on the due date, according to your loan agreement.
A prepaid card may also work if:
- Your name is printed on the card
- It has a routing number and account number
- Your regular income is direct-deposited onto it
- It has a Visa or Mastercard logo
Store-bought, temporary, and gift cards do not qualify. With any prepaid card, the card issuer may hold a deposit longer.
Not sure whether your prepaid card works? Check your card app or contact the card issuer to confirm that it has a routing number and account number.
Does Your State Change What You Need?
Your state usually does not change the basic documents you need, but state law can affect the minimum age, how much you can borrow, and the type of loan available.
In some states, the law may also limit the loan amount based on a share of your monthly income before taxes. That means a lower income may result in a smaller loan amount.
Find your state to see the rules that apply to you.
| State | What the Law Allows and What We Offer |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to $500, the legal limit. Minimum age 19. |
| Arizona | Installment loan. Law: up to $10,000. We offer up to $5,000. |
| California | $300 total, fee included, the legal limit. You get about $255. |
| Colorado | Up to $500, the legal limit. |
| Florida | Up to $500, the legal limit. |
| Georgia | Installment loan. We offer up to $5,000. |
| Idaho | Law: $1,000 or 25% of your income, whichever is less. We offer up to $500. |
| Indiana | Law: $825 or 20% of your income, whichever is less. We offer up to $500. |
| Kentucky | Law: up to $600 at one time across all your payday loans. We offer up to $500. |
| Michigan | Law: up to $600. We offer up to $500. |
| Missouri | Up to $500, the legal limit. |
| North Carolina | Installment loan. Law: up to $25,000. We offer up to $5,000. |
| Ohio | Law: up to $1,000. We offer up to $500. |
| Texas | No state limit; some cities cap it at 20% of your income. We offer up to $500. |
| Utah | No state limit. We offer up to $500. |
| Virginia | Installment loan up to $2,500, the legal limit. |
| Washington | Law: $700 or 30% of your income, whichever is less. We offer up to $500. |
| Wisconsin | Law: $1,500 or 35% of your income, whichever is less, across all your payday loans. We offer up to $500. |
| Wyoming | Up to $400 at one time across all lenders, the legal limit. |
Disclaimer: Limits come from each state’s law and can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need for a Payday Loan?
With us, a payday loan and a cash advance are the same type of small, short-term loan, so the basic requirements are the same.
In Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, where payday loans are not available, we offer an installment loan instead. You can apply using the same basic checklist.
Can I Get a Cash Advance as a Gig or Rideshare Driver?
Yes. Gig and rideshare income may count if you can show steady earnings.
Income from apps such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Instacart can be treated as self-employment income.
Can I Get a Cash Advance on Social Security or Disability?
Yes. Social Security or disability benefits may count as income if they are regular, verifiable, and the loan payment fits your budget.
Can I Get a Cash Advance If I Am Unemployed?
You may still qualify if you receive regular unemployment benefits and those benefits are expected to continue through the loan’s due date.
If you have no regular income you can verify, you would not qualify yet.
Can I Use an Online-Only or App-Based Bank Account?
Usually not. We generally need a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union that supports the funding and repayment process.
If that is your only account, you can open a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union. There is no minimum account age.
Do I Need Good Credit to Get a Cash Advance?
No. We do not require a minimum credit score.
We look mainly at your income and ability to repay, not your credit score alone.
Checking if you pre-qualify uses a soft credit inquiry and does not affect your credit score. If you move forward, a hard credit inquiry may be required before final approval and funding. We will let you know before that happens.
We may also review information from services such as TransUnion, Equifax, LexisNexis, or FactorTrust.
What Does the Online Application Ask For?
The online application asks for the basic personal, income, and banking information listed above.
We use this information to see if you pre-qualify and, if you do, to prepare a loan offer based on your situation and state law.
You can complete the application from your phone or computer in a few minutes, or apply at one of our locations. You can see each step on our online loan process page.
