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6 Apps That Loan You Money Instantly Without a Job

Need to borrow money between jobs? You may qualify for one of these unemployment loans or cash advance apps.

It can be tough to get a loan when you’re unemployed, because most lenders require proof of income. The good news? You can find legitimate lenders who may approve you as long as you have steady income, even if it’s not from a job — such as unemployment benefits, child support, retirement income or disability benefits.

Our top 6 picks for unemployed borrowers

These loans for unemployed borrowers could be a match if you need cash quickly.

For gig workers

Cleo

8.2 Great

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Cleo is an AI-powered budgeting and cash advance app, offering 0% interest cash advances up to $250. While its advances are handy, Cleo's strength lies in its ability to help you budget and save money. Set targets based on your income and spending habits, and its quirky AI assistant will help you stay on track.

And unlike some cash advance apps, you don't need recurring direct deposits or W-2s to qualify for cash advances with Cleo. With its combination of cash advances, budgeting, round-up saving and credit-building tools, Cleo is ideal for anyone who wants to take greater control of their finances.

Loan amount$20 - $250
Turnaround time3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
  • Available in all states

For a cosigned loan

OneMain Financial personal loans

6.8 Standard

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The top concern for personal loan lenders is your ability to repay the loan, and usually, that means having steady income from a job. But OneMain considers other sources, such as government benefits, alimony, child support or other forms of income. It also offers a cosigned loan, which can greatly increase your chances of getting a loan, and funding is possible as soon as one hour after approval. But it charges origination fees, its lowest rate is 18% and you may have to visit a branch office to complete the loan process.

Min. credit scoreNot specified
APR18% to 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 to $20,000
  • Not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont

For low fees

Chime MyPay

9.4 Excellent

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While many cash advance apps require monthly subscriptions and charge hefty fees for instant transfers, Chime's MyPay feature has no mandatory fees and only one potential fee — $2 for an advance of any size. If you can wait a day or two, this app is totally free to use and offers advances up to $500. Plus, it accepts income from alternative sources, such as government benefits, so you're eligible for a cash advance with no job. But it's not available everywhere, you have to get your earnings by direct deposit and you need to have a Chime checking account to qualify for advances.

Loan amount$20 - $500
Turnaround timeWithin 2 days or $2 for instant transfers
CostsNo subscription fees
  • Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

For poor credit

OppLoans Installment Loans

9.4 Excellent

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OppLoans doesn't have a minimum credit score to qualify for a loan, and it's open to income from numerous sources besides employment. It also only requires a soft credit check, so there is no impact on your score — whether you're approved or not. But rates can be steep, you need to receive your income source by direct deposit and it's not available in all states.

Loan amount$500 - $4,000
Turnaround timeAs soon as the same business day
Online applicationYes
  • Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia

For help managing spending

Vola Finance

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Vola Finance provides an unemployment loan of up to $500 when you connect a bank account that meets three eligibility requirements:

  • At least three months old
  • Average balance of $150
  • Proof of income and activity

The app also features spending analytics and tools to help you better manage your money. However, how much you'll pay for Vola's subscription fee is anybody's guess. Third-party and customer reviews say it's anywhere from $1.99 to $28.99 a month. But the company doesn't clearly disclose a fee structure before you sign up.

Loan amountUp to $500
Turnaround timeWithin 5 hours or instant to Vola card
  • Available in all states

For full banking services: MoneyLion

MoneyLion Instacash advances

9 Excellent

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MoneyLion has a suite of banking services, including checking accounts, credit builder loans, investment services and other financial tools. And you can access advances up to $500, or $1,000 with a RoarMoney account.

There are no set income requirements to qualify. You only need a checking account that's at least 60 days old and some type of regular income or recurring deposits, such as pension payments or government benefits. But it has expedited transfer fees up to $8.99, some of its services require other fees and it's not available everywhere.

Loan amount$50 - $500
Turnaround timeUp to 5 days or instant for a fee of $0.49 to $8.99
  • Available in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Methodology: How we chose these lenders

Our team of loan experts looked at dozens of cash advance apps and personal loans before narrowing them down to the best ones for unemployed borrowers. We also regularly review and update our selections to make sure our picks are the best in the market and ideally suited for their categories.

Here are the criteria we considered when choosing the best loans and apps that loan you money instantly without a job:

  • Turnaround times
  • Interest rates
  • Monthly fees
  • Origination fees
  • Transaction fees
  • Credit requirements
  • Income/deposit requirements
  • Loan amounts
  • Repayment plans
  • Better Business Bureau ratings and reviews
  • Trustpilot ratings and reviews

How to compare loans and cash advances for unemployed borrowers

Whether you’re looking for a small cash advance to tide you over or a larger loan amount, here are some key factors to compare.

  • Advance or loan limits. Loans have higher limits than cash apps, but only borrow as much as you need — especially if you’re on a tight budget.
  • Fees. Be sure you’re aware of any fees that come with unemployment loans, such as monthly charges for cash advance apps or origination fees for personal loans.
  • Credit score. Cash advance apps typically don’t check your credit, but personal loan lenders may have minimum requirements to qualify.
  • Loan terms. Consider how long you think you’ll need to repay the loan. You usually only get a couple of weeks with cash advance apps, but personal loans give you the opportunity to spread out your loan payments.
  • Turnaround times. Cash advance apps and loans can both offer fast funding, but if you need money instantly, you might have better luck with a cash advance app.

Pros and cons of cash advance apps and loans for unemployed people

Consider the benefits and drawbacks of unemployment loans.

Pros

  • Fast funding possible
  • Some options don’t require credit checks
  • Cash advance apps typically don’t charge interest or late fees
  • Personal loans offer larger loan amounts

Cons

  • Cash advance apps may require a monthly subscription fee
  • Personal loans can come with high rates
  • Fees for expediting cash advances can be steep
  • Risk of hurting your credit if you can’t make your loan payments

When to consider a loan

If you’re unemployed, you might be wondering if taking out a loan is a good idea. It might make sense if you:

  • Need to cover essential living expenses like food, rent or utilities
  • Have a medical emergency and need to pay for treatment
  • Have urgent home or car repairs
  • Are facing some type of expense that can’t be put off
  • Have a job offer letter with a start date in the next six months

Avoid taking out a loan that you aren’t certain you can repay. If you miss payments, you could end up owing multiple times what you borrowed in fees, hurt your credit and even risk facing a lawsuit from your creditor.

When to consider alternatives

Likewise, taking out a loan while you’re unemployed may not be the right option if one of these situations applies to you:

  • The thought of adding one more monthly payment to your plate stresses you out.
  • You don’t have a regular income.
  • You could sell something you own to come up with the cash instead.
  • The item you need to pay for is a “want” rather than a need.

Compare cash advance apps

Product Finder Score Max. amount per pay period Turnaround time Costs
Finder score
Up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays
1 to 3 business days or within minutes for a fee starting at $2.99 per transfer
Free to use or within minutes with a fee as low as $2.99 per transfer
Access up to $150 per day, with a max of $750 between paydays. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
Finder score
$500 to $4,000
As soon as the same business day
160% - 179% APR
Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WA, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Finder score
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
$5.99 monthly membership fee to access cash advances
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
Chime logo
Finder score
Up to $500
Within 2 days or $2 for instant transfers
No subscription fees
Access up to $500 of your pay before payday fee-free within 24 hours. See Chime terms and conditions.
Current
Current logo
Finder score
$50 to $750
Get instant access to your paycheck in advance for a fee, or get it fee-free within 3 business days
Free
Get up to $750 before payday, once you qualify. Paycheck Advance is an earned wage access service and is not a loan or credit product. Subject to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.
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What is the Finder Score?

The 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.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

Alternatives to cash advance apps and personal loans for unemployed people

If a cash advance app or personal loan isn’t the right move for you, consider these alternatives to borrowing money:

  • Government assistance. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can help with food or cash needs if you’re not working and need help making ends meet.
  • Payment plans. If you have a major car repair or a large medical bill, see if you can set up a payment plan rather than borrowing money.
  • Negotiate with creditors. If it’s existing debt that’s causing a shortfall in funds, ask your creditors about pausing payments for a month or two, getting an extension or lowering your monthly payment.
  • Sell your stuff. Make some money by decluttering your home or garage and selling your old belongings to people who can use them.
  • Find a side hustle. Whether you’re between jobs or retired, there are a ton of ways to make a little extra cash in today’s gig economy.

Frequently asked questions

Are cash apps payday lenders?

No, but they share some similarities. Both options offer short-term loans, which are usually paid back within two weeks. But cash advance apps don’t charge interest or late fees, whereas payday loans charge both.

How to get $200 instantly without a job?

Most likely your best option to get $200 fast is with a cash advance app that offers loans for unemployed people. You’ll have to pay a fee to get the funds transferred instantly, but at least you won’t have to pay interest.

Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
Lacey Stark's headshot
Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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92 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    PeterOctober 7, 2018

    Hi I am unemployed and have a great need for financial assistance can you advise me on what to do with my situation to get a loan for small business?

      Default GravatarFinder
      johnbasanesOctober 8, 2018Finder

      Hi Peter,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      You are on the right page to make a comparison as well as check on available lenders in your state that could offer you a loan. Kindly review and compare your options on the table displaying the available providers. Once you have chosen a particular provider, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.

      Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.You may also reach out to your local government and check on hardship loans that may be available in your state. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Default Gravatar
    Bell1day84September 22, 2018

    Are there lenders for those that receive unemployment checks?

      Default GravatarFinder
      JoshuaSeptember 24, 2018Finder

      Hi Bell1day84,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      Generally, unemployment checks are considered to be a form of income. For this reason, lenders may still consider your loan application.

      To check your options, please consider reviewing the table above. Your options are conveniently gathered together in the table for easy comparison. Click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more. Please review the criteria, details of the loan product and contact the lender directly to discuss your loan options and eligibility.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    StephanieSeptember 5, 2018

    I am a server, can I get a loan without payslip? I get my pay daily in cash.

      Default GravatarFinder
      JhezelynSeptember 6, 2018Finder

      Hello Stephanie,

      Thank you for your comment.

      There are still some lenders that have minimum employment requirements to qualify you for a loan. It states that as long as you can prove your cash payment, you may be considered for a loan. It’s important that they can see you as someone who is capable to repay a loan. Find more about on how to maximize the chances of approval in a personal loan.

      You can try BBVA lender as they typically requires pay stubs from the previous 30 days to verify income. Please click the Go to Site button to apply. Ensure that you have met the eligibility criteria. Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chatbox on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    SandraAugust 6, 2018

    I’m currently unemployed but I’m to get my first SS check at the end of this month and I’m trying to pay my electric bill before it’s turned off. I just need 450 to pay the electric and a couple more bills until I get my SS check

      Default Gravatar
      AshAugust 7, 2018

      Hi Sandra,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      You may want to check loans designed for pensioners since you mentioned you are receiving Social Security benefits. You may need to provide your credit score to see which lender is available in California.

      Kindly ensure that you meet the Lender’s eligibility criteria before submitting your application. Then you may click the green “Go to site” button to be redirected to the Lender’s page and hand in your application.

      I hope this helps.

      Let us know if there is anything else that I may assist you with.

      Cheers,
      Ash

    Default Gravatar
    TruJune 25, 2018

    I’m in between jobs and I’m about to be employed again soon. I have an active bank account. I own a house own a car paid it off. I also receive settlement funds. Is it at all possible I could get a small loan the meantime?

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoJune 25, 2018

      Hi Tru,

      Thanks for reaching out to us.

      The most important thing in getting a loan is to check if you have all the eligibility requirements that the bank requires as any application, approved or not, will impact your credit score.

      Important things to consider before borrowing:

      1. You need to be able to repay the loan. This is the main thing lenders look for when considering you for a loan. If you only want to borrow a small amount and your income and expenses demonstrate you can easily manage the ongoing repayments, then you may be eligible. If you want to borrow a large amount of money that will make it hard for you to manage day-to-day, then the lender probably won’t consider your application.
      2. Other requirements will need to be met. You’ll need to check the other eligibility requirements set by the lender before you apply. Just because they have flexible criteria when it comes to your employment doesn’t mean they’ll be flexible about everything else.
      3. Do you receive welfare payments? This is often what allows lenders to consider you for a loan when you aren’t currently unemployed. If you receive welfare payments as all or a portion of your income, lenders will consider this when evaluating your ability to repay the loan.
      4. Quick repayment plans. Like all short term loans, you must repay the principal and interest by your next payday. This is why lenders want you to be employed, but if you aren’t, an alternate source of income might be enough.
      5. High APR. Short term loans are known to have a high APR, meaning you have to pay much more in fees and charges than you would with a traditional loan from a bank.
      6. Automatic payments. While lenders like to list debiting directly from your bank account as a positive, if you don’t have the money to pay back your loan, it could lead to overdrawing–that means more fees.

      Hope this helps!

      Regards,
      Nikki

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