U.S. users can easily borrow money from Cash App, starting from $20 to $500 as of 2026. Moreover, first-time borrowers can take up to $400; previously, they were only able to get up to $153. But this borrowing feature is only available to eligible users on the basis of their account activity. After taking money from Cash App, you need to repay the loan within 4 weeks. Otherwise, the penalty charge is 1.25% weekly. Unlike traditional banks, Cash App just verifies that you are maintaining your bank balance and high direct deposits. This how-to guide will describe eligibility criteria, detailed steps, and the pros and cons of borrowing money.

TL;DR 

1. Eligibility: Not accessible to all US users. But the key factors, such as age, location, and much more, are not guaranteed to get the Borrow option. 
2. Credit Check: Cash App does not require it. 
3. Fees: Cash App charges you a 5% finance fee while providing you with money. If your outstanding fees continue for 3 days, you will owe $5. 
4. Repayment Flexibility: You can repay the amount in weekly installments, a lump sum, or in cash. 
5. Unable to Pay: If you don’t repay the amount within the specific due date, Cash App automatically deducts it from your linked bank account. Besides this, you can also become ineligible in the future for borrowing a loan. 

What Is a Cash App Borrow?

This is one of the prime features of Cash App, as it provides short-term loans or allows users to take small-dollar loans. It typically starts from $20, and newly registered borrowers will get up to $400. It is designed in a way that users can easily access before paychecks. In addition, it has a policy that a user needs to repay their money before a certain due date. 

Note: You can’t access Cash App if you are not under the eligibility criteria as stated by Cash App. 

Who Is Eligible to Borrow Money on Cash App?

Here, I will let you know about Cash App loan eligibility, but these are not guaranteed. 

• You must be a minimum of 18 years of age. 
• Cash App can only offer you to borrow money if you have a personal account. 

Note: Business and family accounts are ineligible as of June 2024.  

• You must be residing in the US. Furthermore, residents of Iowa and Colorado can’t access this borrowing feature. 
• Individuals should have a Cash App Card, and those who have completed the full identity verification process are eligible. 
• You should direct deposit $300+ in paychecks on a monthly basis into Cash App. Otherwise, you can also share information from an external source with $500+ in deposits per month. 

Pro Tip! It is not necessary; after meeting all the criteria, you become eligible to take a loan from Cash App. However, I have seen that even with $1000 direct deposits, users are not able to use the borrow feature because its algorithm gives preference to consistency over the total amount.  

How To Borrow Money From Cash App (Step-by-Step)

Follow the steps listed below to take a loan from Cash App. 

1. Open Cash App. 
2. Go to the Money/Banking tab. 
3. Look for the Borrow option if you are eligible. 

Note: Make sure you are using the latest version to see the Borrow option. 

1. Choose Unlock or Get Started. 
2. Decide the amount you are willing to borrow. 
3. After that, choose when you will repay the amount. Here, you will get options: 
   1. Weekly installments
   2. A lump sum in four weeks 
   3. Or whenever you get cash. 
4. Make sure that you need to pay a 5% flat fee on the amount that you have taken as a loan. 
5. Just confirm by typing your PIN. 

How Much Money Can You Borrow on Cash App?

Qualified users can borrow money from Cash App within the range of $20 to $500. However, those who have better credit histories can be eligible for taking money upto $1400 as per a third-party source. 

Borrowing Limits & Eligibility

First of all, Cash App decides your personal account limit for how much you can borrow. 

• Generally, you may be eligible for up to $500 if you have a Green Status. However, it is earned when you directly deposit more than $300. Or, if you have spent $500 on a monthly basis through your Cash App Card. 

Note that you can also see that Cash App has increased your limits over time when you are consistently repaying the amount on time or before the due date. 

• Plus, if you have a Green Status, you can also access up to $200 as a free overdraft coverage while making transactions from the Cash App Card. 

Cash App Borrow Fees and Repayment Terms

According to Cash App’s Borrow Loan Agreement, these are the following terms and conditions that you should look for: 

Cash App Borrow Fees

• When you borrow money from Cash App, it charges you an extra $5 for providing you with that. It means that if you take a loan of $200, the cost you need to pay is $210 (a 5% finance fee is included).  Moreover, it is already set out under Summary of Loan Terms. 
• If you are not able to pay the outstanding fees on the due date and it continues for three calendar days, Cash App will charge you $5. But it is only applicable if you have changed a payment schedule. 
• If there is an unpaid amount after missing the due date, you will be charged 1.25% on a weekly basis. In addition, it is calculated on the original overdue balance, and it will continue until you pay the full loan amount. 
• You can also repay the amount early without paying any penalty charges. If you do that, Cash App will offer you a pro rata refund for any portion that is financed beyond 5% of the amount.

Repayment Terms 

• You can borrow money from Cash App within the range of $20 to $500.
• You have the option to pay the loan money back in a lump sum within four weeks before or on the due date. In addition, there are optional installment schedules that are available.
• Cash App first deducts the repayment amount from your balance. If it finds that you don’t have a sufficient amount, it attempts to debit from your linked debit card. Additionally, it tries multiple times till they recover the loan repayable amount. 
• You can manually repay amounts, whether it is by mailing a check or using a debit card. 

Cash App Loan Limits for 2026

The following table will help you to determine your limits on monthly deposits. 

Deposit Volume (Monthly)	Estimated Borrow Limit	Key Requirement
$0 – $299	$0 (Ineligible)	Must enable Direct Deposit
$300 – $499	$20 – $50	Consistent 30-day history
$500 – $999	$50 – $200	Active Cash Card usage
$1,000+	Up to $500	“Green Status” verified

 

How to Repay Borrowed Money on Cash App? 

Follow the guidelines as listed below. 

1. Launch Cash App on your phone. 
2. Tap on your Profile icon. 
3. Here, you will see the borrow option. 
4. Select the repayment or make a payment. 
5. Decide whether you want to make a full or partial payment. 
6. Now, you will see that Cash App is showing you the exact payoff, which consists of interest.
7. It will show you the same pop-up again.

Alternatively, you can go to the selected payment source. 

1. Move towards the Pay and Request section and click on the Cash App balance. 
2. On your dashboard, you will see the option of: 
   • Link to a debit card
   • Or, your bank account. 
3. Fill out the bank or debit card information. 
4. Tap and confirm the amount. 
5. Once the payment is done, you can go to Borrow to confirm your new balance if the Borrow option is available to your account. 
6. Save the screenshot of the payment confirmation for your records.   

Note: If you run into any issues, just navigate to your profile and click the support option.  

Why You May Not See the Borrow Option

There are some specific reasons behind this. 

• Unable to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Firstly, the Borrowing feature is not available to every user. Moreover, Cash App automatically analyzes accounts to determine whether you are consistent, use the Cash App Card, have high-volume direct deposits, and maintain a positive account balance. 
• Insufficient Direct Deposits: If you are inconsistent or have fewer than 3 direct deposits of $300 or more, you can’t see the borrowing option. 
• Geographic Restriction: This borrowing feature is rolled out in some US states because of local regulations. 
• New or Low Account Activity: You have just created a new account, or there is low activity on your account. 
• Poor Repayment History: If you are not paying back the amount on a due date or there are some failures of repayment previously, Cash App will revoke your ability to use this feature. 
• Outdated Version: You are using the older version of Cash App. So, you need to make sure you are using the latest app. 

How to Unlock the Borrow Feature

Follow the steps listed below: 

1. Open Cash App.
2. Log in to your account. 
3. Go to your Profile. 
4. Scroll down a bit to find the Support section. 
5. Search for borrow on the Support Page. 
6. Tap on the first link that is visible to you (it’s only visible when you’re eligible for the borrow option).
7. See the factors why it is not available. (Optional). 

If it is currently available in your state, you can navigate to your Cash Card. Here, you will have an option to lock and unlock it. 

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Cash App Borrow

Read these tips to boost the chances of getting the Borrow feature. 

• Cash App Debit Card Regularly: You should use the Cash App Card frequently for daily financial activities and purchase signals. 
• Regular Direct Deposits: You can also set up direct deposits on a regular basis. 
• Repay Loans on Time: When you pay the amount on time or before the due date, it increases the chances of boosting twice the borrowing limits. 
• Diversify App Usage: Stay active and try to make transactions within the Cash App, and make sure you are using the latest version. 
• Verifying Your Identity: While creating an account, it is necessary to verify with SSN and ITIN, date of birth, and your full name. 
• Maintain a Buffer Balance: You should maintain a minimum balance so that Cash App’s algorithm can get a signal that you are a reliable borrower. 

Is Borrowing From Cash App Safe?

YES! If you think that you can repay the amount within the specific short-term period. But understand one thing that borrowing money from Cash App is not for those users who are currently looking for a regular income. Perhaps they are already in debt, or they cannot pay the money within the strict due date. 

Alternatives If Cash App Borrow Isn’t Available

These are some other options if borrowing is not available. 

Alternative	How It Works	Eligibility	Loan or Advance Amounts	Repayment Terms	Pros	Cons
Earnin	It provides cash advances on the basis of the hours that you have worked.	It requires employment with direct deposits.	Up to $750 per pay period.	Amounts are automatically deducted on payday.	There are no mandatory fees.	You must have reliable earnings. In addition, the tipping model can add costs.
Dave	It offers short-term advances and budgeting tools.	It requires a linked bank account and verifies your income.	Up to $500.	You need to repay the money on the next payday.	It consists of financial management tools.	There is a monthly membership fee of $1. In fact, there is an optional express fee.
Brigit	It provides instant cash advances, plus you can monitor your credits.	It requires a checking account with regular deposits.	Up to $250.	There is an auto-repayment on payday.	You will get credit protection features.	There is a subscription fee of $9.99 per month.
Chime SpotMe	It offers overdraft protection for debit card purchases.	You must have a Chime account with direct deposits.	Up to $200 overdraft.	The amount will be deducted from the next deposit.	There is no interest or fees.	Chime users can only use this. Moreover, there are capped amounts.
Credit Union Personal Loan	There is a traditional small-dollar loan from local credit unions.	You must have a membership, and your credit will be checked when it is needed.	Varies, usually $500–$2,000.	There are flexible repayment options (months to years)	You will get lower interest rates compared to payday loans.	There is a slower approval process, and it requires good standing.

Pros and Cons of Borrowing Money From Cash App

First, we will describe the pros and then the cons of taking money from Cash App. 

Pros: 

• Cash App does not check your previous credit history, as it uses to see the activity for approval. 
• There are transparent terms and conditions noted under Cash App’s Borrow Loan Agreement that state there are no hidden fees. 
•  You will get instant funds and just repay the amount from Cash App. 
• It doesn’t charge any compound interest. 

Cons: 

• You need to pay high fees for small loans, and if you forget to repay the amount, later transactions will add more charges. 
• You need to return the payment within four weeks, as the policy is very strict for that. 
•  If you make a late repayment, Cash App can remove the Borrowing feature as well as send the debt to collections. 
• Your funds are not FDIC insured on Cash App, just like traditional bank accounts. 

Final Thoughts!

Borrowing money from Cash App is not a difficult task to do. You just need to keep a sufficient balance, direct deposits of more than $300+ monthly, and repay the loan on time, which are some key factors that will help you to increase the chances of getting the borrowing feature. If you find that you are not able to get this feature, it is because there are some geographic restrictions, or you have just created a new account. By following these tips and tricks, you can easily borrow a loan from Cash App. 

FAQs About Cash App Borrow

These are some extra questions and their answers that most users ask. 

Q1. Can I borrow again after repayment?

Ans. YES! You can borrow again after repayment. But make sure you have cleared the old one, and your account must have a $0 loan balance.  

Q2. Does borrowing affect credit score?

Ans. NO! When you borrow money from Cash App, it doesn’t affect your credit score because it uses a soft credit check to analyze your application instead of doing a hard inquiry. However, if you fail to pay the loan amount back, it will be reported to the credit bureaus. And it will badly impact your credit history. 

Q3. Can I borrow without direct deposit?

Ans. YES! You can borrow without direct deposit. Cash App requires high account activity. It means that you must maintain a positive balance. You should use the Cash App Card regularly or send/receive money frequently. 

Q4. What happens if I don’t repay?

Ans. If you don’t pay the amount back, Cash App will: 

• Automatically deduct the balance from your account.
• Stop you from using any of its features. 
• Charge you 1.25% interest or late fees. 

Q5. How much can you borrow on Cash App?

Ans. There is a limit for borrowing up to $500 on Cash App, and you need to repay it within 4 weeks. 

Q6. How to increase your borrowing limit?

Ans. Some key strategies will help you out: 

• Use the Cash App Card frequently. 
• Set up direct deposits daily. 
• Pay the amount timely or before the due date. 
• Verify your account. 
• Maintain a minimum balance.