Empower offers interest-free (but not entirely fee-free) cash advances ranging from $10 up to $350 for users who meet their eligibility criteria, like having a consistent source of income and a decent banking history. They’ll automatically withdraw the amount you borrowed on your next payday, but you can adjust the repayment date if needed through the app.

You can get your cash advance delivered to your bank account within one business day at no extra cost. If you need the funds faster, you have a couple of options: instant delivery to your Empower Debit Card for free (usually within minutes), or instant delivery to your external bank account for a small fee that ranges from $1 to $8 for amounts up to $299, and 3% for advances of $300 or more.

There's an $8 monthly subscription fee to use Empower's services, but first-time users get a 14-day free trial. If you find value in Empower's additional features like budgeting tools, savings assistance, and credit score monitoring, the subscription might be worth it for you.

Empower might work well for you if:

• Need quick cash: You need instant access to funds up to $300 without interest or credit checks
• Build credit: You want to improve your credit score with the Empower Thrive line of credit
• Financial tools: You're looking for budgeting, savings, and credit score monitoring features in one app
• Flexible repayment: You appreciate flexible repayment options, including the ability to reschedule your payment date
• Overdraft protection: You want reassurance that any overdraft fees caused by Empower will be reimbursed

When Empower might not be a good fit:

• Monthly fee: You're not willing to pay the $8 monthly subscription fee
• Irregular income: You don't have a consistent source of income or regular paychecks
• Location restrictions: You live in Connecticut, Maryland, or the District of Columbia where Empower is unavailable
• Eligibility criteria: You don't meet the eligibility requirements, such as being at least 18 or having a bank account open for more than 30 days

There are a few main criteria that will make you eligible for a cash advance from Empower:

1. Age: You need to be at least 18 years old.
2. Bank account: Have a U.S.-based bank account that's been open for more than 30 days.
3. Income: Show that you have a consistent source of income reflected in your bank account's transaction history, with regular paychecks that meet Empower's criteria.
4. Residency: You should not be a resident of Connecticut, Maryland, or the District of Columbia (DC).
5. Thrive account: Not have an open Empower Thrive line of credit account.

Empower will then review your information to decide if you’re eligible and determine the maximum cash advance they can offer you. If you're interested in the Empower Thrive line of credit, you'll need to meet Empower's qualifications, which are subject to credit approval.

You will typically get the money in your bank account within one business day with the free standard transfer.

If you need the money faster, you can choose instant delivery. If you have the Empower Debit Card, you can get the funds within 1 minute at no extra cost.

If you're transferring instantly to your external bank account, fees apply based on the amount of your advance. You'll pay $1 for advances up to $10, $2 for up to $49.99, $5 for up to $149.99, and $8 for up to $299.99. For advances of $300 or more, the fee is 3% of the advance amount. The money will arrive in 15 minutes to 2 hours.

Empower will automatically collect the repayment on your scheduled date, usually around your next payday. Keep in mind that:

1. Reschedule repayment: You can adjust your repayment date in the app (no later than 12 pm PST one business day before it's due) or by contacting them at help@empower.me.
2. Insufficient funds: If you don't have enough money in your account, Empower may make small withdrawals until the balance is repaid, or take the full amount when sufficient funds are available.
3. New cash advances: You need to repay your current advance before you can get another one.

On top of the cash advances that Empower offers, and if you're willing to pay the $8 monthly fee, there are a few other features that you might find useful.

Budgeting and Financial Tools

Empower provides handy tools to help you take control of your finances. You can set up custom budgets and track your spending in real-time across different categories. With the AutoSave feature, you can set personal savings goals, and Empower will automatically save small amounts based on your income and spending habits. It's a simple way to build up your savings without even thinking about it.

Credit Score Monitoring

Keeping an eye on your credit score is important, and Empower makes it easy by providing monthly updates right in the app. You'll get tips on how to improve your score and can monitor changes over time. It's a useful feature to help you stay informed about your credit health.

Empower Thrive Line of Credit

If you're looking for more than just a cash advance, Empower offers the Thrive line of credit. This gives you access to a flexible credit line starting at $200, which can increase up to $1,000 over time with responsible use. All your payments are reported to credit bureaus, which can help build your credit history if you make timely payments. The interest rates range from 0% to 35.99% APR, depending on how quickly you repay, and there's no strict repayment schedule, giving you more control. Just keep in mind that late payments can negatively impact your credit score, and you'll need to be subscribed to Empower to access Thrive. Also, while the initial APR can be 0% if repaid by your next paycheck, interest can add up if you take longer to pay it off.