Having enough cash to sort out bills and utilities on time is everyone’s goal. But what happens if you live paycheck to paycheck, have an unexpected expense, and your paycheck is delayed?
According to the American Payroll Association, over 63% of Americans would experience financial difficulties if their paycheck were delayed for a week. You could turn to payday loans, cash advance apps, or credit cards to sort out urgent expenses. While these options may be helpful, they’re very expensive and could put you into debt.
What if I tell you there’s an option that can help you get your paycheck up to two days early? This is where a direct deposit comes in. In this article, you’ll learn how to get paid early with direct deposit, the benefits of direct deposit, and how to set up one.
Is It Possible to Get Paid Early?
Yes. You can get your paycheck early with a direct deposit. However, it depends on your employer’s payroll policies and the financial institution that processes the direct deposit.
Many banks, credit unions, and fintech companies have begun offering an early paycheck feature on customers’ checking accounts, also referred to as early direct deposit. For instance, when you set up a direct deposit, you can receive your paycheck up to two days early before the official payday.
This can be particularly helpful for employees who need access to funds immediately to pay bills or cover unexpected expenses.
Get to Payday Faster with Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is a convenient way to receive your paycheck, as you can get paid as early as two days before payday. Instead of waiting for a physical check to arrive in the mail or going to the bank to deposit it, direct deposit automatically transfers your earnings into your bank account.
By using direct deposit, you can avoid the time and hassle of waiting for a check to clear or dealing with the potential delays or errors that can occur with paper checks. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about losing or misplacing your check because your funds are automatically deposited into your account.
How Direct Deposit Works
Employers and businesses typically use direct deposit, an automated method of handling transactions to pay employees their salaries. Here’s how direct deposit works:
Your employer will typically ask you to provide your bank account information, including your routing and account number. They’ll then set up direct deposit on their end to deposit your earnings directly into your account on payday.
A few days to payday, your employer will electronically transfer the funds from their bank account to your account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. The ACH network is a secure electronic payment system that connects banks and financial institutions to facilitate the transfer of funds.
Once the funds are transferred, they’ll be deposited directly into your bank account. As a result, you can typically access your funds on the same day, although the exact timing may depend on your bank’s processing times.
The Advantages of Direct Deposit
Using direct deposit to receive your paycheck has several benefits, including:
Convenient
Direct deposit is a convenient way to receive your paycheck or other income, as it eliminates the need to wait for a physical check to arrive in the mail or go to the bank to deposit it. Whether you have pending bills to clear or unexpected expenses to cover, a direct deposit will give you immediate access to your money.
Faster
Gone are the days when you’d pick up a paper check and wait in line to deposit it. Getting paid by check means your money isn’t available to you immediately. It will take a few days after depositing to access the funds. However, a direct deposit gives you immediate access to your hard-earned money.
More Secure than Paper Checks
Unlike paper checks that can get lost or stolen, a direct deposit is a more secure way to receive your paycheck. In addition, since direct deposit happens electronically, the chances of losing your funds are very minimal, provided that you gave your employer the correct bank account information.
Cost-Saving
Using direct deposit can save you money because you don’t have to pay fees to cash in the check. Plus, if you’re signing up for direct deposit through your workplace, it’s free to do it.
Avoid Monthly Maintenance Fees
Many traditional banks charge monthly fees on checking accounts, which can eat up your account balance. While some banks can waive these fees, you must meet certain requirements, like receiving a specific number of direct deposits a month.
Being paid via direct deposit can help you avoid monthly maintenance fees if your bank at a financial institution with such fees.
Offers a Better Way to Budget
Direct deposit can help you manage your finances more efficiently, as you can easily track your income and expenses and set up automatic bill payments. You can even have a portion of your paycheck automatically moved into your savings account each month.
Is There a Fee to Get Paid Early with Direct Deposit?
It depends on the policies of your employer and financial institution.
Some employers may offer early direct deposit as a benefit to their employees without charging any fees. In this case, you may receive your paycheck a few days before the official payday, giving you access to your funds sooner.
On the other hand, some financial institutions may charge a fee for early direct deposit services, particularly if you’re using a third-party service that allows you to access your paycheck early. These fees can vary depending on the service provider and the terms of your account.
It’s important to check with your employer and financial institution to understand their policies and any associated fees before signing up for a direct deposit. Ensure you read the fine print of the terms and conditions and ask questions if you need clarification on any fees or limitations.
Setting Up Direct Deposit
Setting up direct deposit is usually the same regardless of your employer or financial institution. Here’s how to set up a direct deposit:
- Complete the direct deposit form: Your employer or payer will ask you to fill out a direct deposit form with your personal information, including your name, address, Social Security number, and signature. You’ll also need to provide your bank account number and your bank’s or credit union’s routing number.
- Deposit amount: Next, you’ll need to specify how you want to distribute your deposit amount. For example, you can divert a portion of your paycheck to your savings account.
- Attach a voided check: While you’ve provided your bank account information on the direct deposit form, you’ll also need to attach a voided check to ensure that your employer or payer is connecting to your correct account.
- Submit the form: Once you’re done filling out the form, you can submit it to the payroll processing department or use a secure file transfer.
