Cash App Borrow is a short-term loan program that lets Cash App users borrow up to $200 for emergencies. But disappointingly enough, it’s still in testing and isn’t available everywhere. That said, understanding how a Cash App loan works and who is eligible can help you decide if it is something you want to use.
For complete transparency, Cash App provides zero information about these short term loans on its website. As a result, we had to rely on information from Reedit and reputable tech news sites for product details. Some details may no longer be relevant, but we do our best to keep this page up to date.
How Cash App Borrow works
Cash App Borrow is a type of short term loan which is given through the platform Cash App. Eligible borrowers can take loans from $20 to $200. They have four weeks to pay it off, plus a 5% flat fee.
This 5% fee translates into an overall 60% APR for Cash App Lending:
5% Monthly Fee x 12 Months = 60% APR
This rate is a good deal compared to payday loans, which typically come with an average 400% APR. Cash App Lending, on the other hand, is much higher than personal loans, which have an average 9% APR — and may not legally top the 36% in most states.
Also Read :- How Does Cash App Show On Bank Statement?
Fees and details
- Maximum Withdrawal: $200
- Terms: 4 weeks
- Cost: 5% flat fee
- Other Fees: 1.25% Late Fee — Charged per week after 1 week grace period
5 steps to borrow money from Cash App
If you are eligible, you can borrow money from Cash App in five steps:
- Open your Cash App mobile app.
- Tap on the banking icon in the lower-left corner.
- Scroll until you find the word borrowed.
- Tap Unlock to see how much you can borrow.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to borrow up to that amount.
This process may change as the service is rolled out more widely.
Can I borrow money from Cash App?
It is difficult to say who is eligible to use Cash App Lending. There is no official word on who can and cannot borrow money from Cash App.
If you see a “borrow” option in your account, it means you are eligible. Furthermore, an official CashApp expert tells Redditors that these factors may be to blame:
- Residence Status – Cash App Lending is currently not available to all US residents.
- Credit History – Your current credit score may not be in the qualifying range.
- Cash App Usage – The platform has the most potential for lending to its most active users.
- Direct Deposit – Similarly, Cash App can let those with direct deposit test the loan first.
- Use of Cash Card – Preference may be given to persons having active Cash Card/Debit Card.
Why can’t I get a Cash App loan?
Cash App Borrow is still being rolled out for customers. If you think you meet the requirements and still can’t borrow money from the Cash App, it may not be available in your region yet.
Compare alternatives to Cash App Borrow
Cash App is not the only way to get a cash advance. Compare these options by loan amount, turnaround time and cost to find the right fit for your needs.
When to use Cash App Borrow
Cash App Lending works best for emergency situations – think: a car repair, an unexpected visit to the doctor or vet, etc.
Its small dollar amount makes it a good alternative to a personal loan if your credit isn’t strong enough — or if you need to borrow less than $1,000. It also costs less than a typical payday loan, although some alternatives, such as Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) from a local credit union, beat it.
Alternatively, cash advance apps like Chime SpotMe and Dave are even better than Cash App Borrow – often offering free, instant loans with no credit checks. However, some apps have a monthly subscription fee. And you often can’t qualify for a loan of more than $50 unless you’ve used the app for a few months.
If you need money quickly and can’t borrow money from the Cash app, a credit card can also be a good option. If you pay it back before your next bill, you won’t have to pay any fees or interest.
Is it safe?
Cash App is owned by reputable financial services and payments company Block (formerly Square), and it takes a number of measures to keep your account secure:
- Its app is PCI Data Security Standard Level 1 compliant – the highest level offered in the payments industry.
- It encrypts all your financial transactions.
- Users can set up two-factor authentication, security locks and biometrics for added security.
That said, Cash App experienced a data breach on April 4, 2022, which affected more than 8 million users of Cash App Investment. The data breach came from a former employee who downloaded reports containing client names, brokerage account numbers and, in some cases, portfolio values and trading data. It is not yet clear how widely the information was shared or how much harm was done to consumers.
Bottom line
Cash App has been disappointingly quiet about its new short-term loan program, leading many users to wonder why they can’t borrow money from the app. If you haven’t gained access yet, check out other cash advance apps while you wait.
