Cash Advance Apps
How does Empower cash advance work?

How does Empower cash advance work?

By Editorial Team
Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Empower is a cash advance app that lets you borrow up to $400 without interest, late fees, or credit checks. To get started, download the app, create an account, and link your bank. After subscribing (there's a 14-day free trial, then it's $8 a month), you can request an advance. You choose how much you need and select your delivery method—instant delivery to your bank for a small fee or free delivery that takes a bit longer. You'll repay the advance on your next payday, and the app offers other financial tools to help manage your money.

How to get an Empower cash advance: step-by-step

Download the Empower app on your phone and follow these steps:

  1. Subscribe: Create an account by subscribing to Empower and providing any required personal information
  2. Link bank account: Securely connect your primary bank account via Plaid
  3. Request access: Request access to Empower Advance within the app
  4. Qualification check: Empower reviews your bank transactions to verify you meet the qualifications
  5. Select amount: If you qualify, select the amount you'd like to advance, up to your offer limit (maximum $400)
  6. Choose delivery: Choose your preferred delivery method and funding speed
  7. Receive funds: Empower disburses the cash advance to your bank account
  8. Repay advance: On your scheduled repayment date, the amount plus any fees will be automatically withdrawn from your linked account

Table of contents

How to get an Empower cash advance: step-by-stepAdvance amounts, fees and repayment termsHow long does Empower cash advance take?What do Empower users say about funding speed?

Advance amounts, fees and repayment terms

Advance amounts
$10 - $400
Monthly fee
$8.00
Time to get cash
1 business day
Expedite fee
$1 up to $8 for advances up to $299.99, then 3% for advances of $300+
Time to get cash with express fee
15 min to 2 hrs

How long does Empower cash advance take?

You can usually get your cash advance in your bank account within one business day with the free standard transfer.

If you need the money faster, you can choose instant delivery to your external bank account, which typically takes 15 minutes to 2 hours. This will cost you $1 to $8 for advances up to $299.99, and 3% of the advance amount for $300 or more. The fees are:

  • $1 for advances up to $10
  • $2 for $10.01 to $49.99
  • $3 for $50 to $74.99
  • $4 for $75 to $99.99
  • $5 for $100 to $149.99
  • $6 for $150 to $199.99
  • $7 for $200 to $249.99
  • $8 for $250 to $299.99
  • 3% of the advance amount for $300 or more

Alternatively, you can receive your advance instantly and for free by depositing it onto your Empower debit card, which usually takes about one minute.

What do Empower users say about funding speed?

Out of hundreds of reviews published in April and May 2025 that we analyzed, we found 50+ recent comments mentioning funding speed. Here’s what users say about it:

  • Fast and easy: Over 40 users praise how quickly they received cash—often calling it “instant”, “fast”, or “within minutes”.
  • Delays in re-borrowing: About 4 users mention it takes longer than expected to borrow again after repayment—even when their payment has already posted.

Overall, most users are thrilled with Empower’s speedy funding, though a few wish they could re-borrow more quickly after paying back.