Do You Get Paid 2 Days Early With Chime?
Unpack how Chime provides earlier access to your direct deposit. Understand the mechanics and realities of getting paid sooner.
Chime is a financial technology company offering banking services. It provides customers with access to their paychecks sooner than the scheduled payday. This feature provides quicker access to funds for various financial needs.
How Chime’s Early Pay Works
Chime’s early pay feature makes funds available to members as soon as the payment file is received from an employer’s payroll provider. Traditional banks hold these funds until the scheduled payday, even if received earlier. Chime credits the account immediately upon receiving this notification, up to two days before the standard payment date.
This process depends on the payroll provider’s submission to the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, which processes direct deposits. If an employer submits payroll information early, Chime releases the funds to the member’s account without delay. The speed of this process depends on when the employer initiates the payment.
Setting Up Direct Deposit for Early Pay
To use Chime’s early pay feature, set up direct deposit into your Chime Checking Account. This involves obtaining the routing and account numbers associated with the Chime account. These numbers are available within the Chime mobile application or through the online portal.
Once acquired, these details need to be provided to the employer or benefits provider’s payroll department. Chime offers methods including copying numbers, downloading a pre-filled direct deposit form, or, for eligible employers, integrating through the Chime app’s employer portal. Confirm with the employer’s human resources or payroll department that the direct deposit setup has been processed correctly. It might take one to two pay cycles for the new direct deposit information to take effect.
Types of Payments Eligible for Early Access
Chime’s early pay feature supports various direct deposit types. The most common eligible payment is regular payroll from an employer. This includes wages from full-time, part-time, or gig economy work.
Many government benefits are also eligible for early access. These include Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs (VA) payments, and unemployment benefits. The eligibility for early access depends on the payer’s ability to submit payment information electronically in advance of the scheduled payment date.
Managing Expectations for Early Pay
While Chime advertises access to funds “up to two days early,” the exact timing of a direct deposit varies. The actual availability of funds depends on when the employer or benefits provider submits the payment file to Chime. If the file is sent closer to the scheduled payday, the funds may arrive closer to that date.
Weekends and federal banking holidays can influence the timing, as payments are generally processed on business days. Chime notifies members via push notifications and email as soon as a direct deposit is received and made available in their account. Users can monitor pending deposits within the Chime app to track incoming funds.