Loan eligibility criteria
Find out whether you could be approved. It is a soft search, so it leaves no mark other lenders can see, and we never charge you a fee.
What you need to apply
Four things. If you can tick all four, it is worth checking what you could be offered - and checking costs you nothing.
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Be at least 18
You must be 18 or over to apply for credit in the UK.
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Live in the UK
You need to be a UK resident.
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Have a regular income
A regular income of at least £400 a month.
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Hold a UK bank account
A valid debit card and an active bank account.
We search a panel of lenders and credit brokers, all authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, to find options that suit your circumstances.
Apply now
Enter an amount in pounds, from £50 to £5,000.
Will I be approved?
We know you need your money as soon as possible. Check where you stand in 3 minutes with a soft search that leaves no mark other lenders can see.
Check eligibility Soft search. Won’t affect your score
Will I be approved?
Nobody can promise you approval before a lender has looked at your application. Anyone who does is not being straight with you. When you check, lenders on our panel run a soft search. It does not affect your credit score, and you see any offers they make.
A poor credit score does not rule you out.
Our panel includes lenders who specialise in people with defaults, missed payments or a thin credit file. What matters more is whether the repayments are affordable for you now, which is why the form asks about your income and your regular outgoings as well as your history.
Checking is a soft search.
It leaves no mark other lenders can see, and you can check as often as you like. A hard search is only recorded if you accept an offer, and the lender tells you first.
We are a credit broker, not a lender.
Payday UK does not make the lending decision and does not run the credit check. We search the panel, show you what you qualify for, and you decide. We never charge you a fee; when a loan is taken out the lender may pay us a commission, and that never changes what you pay.
Checking is quick and free
One short form reaches a panel of FCA-regulated lenders, so you see the offers available to you.
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3 mins
To check if you could be approved
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£0
Broker fees - we never charge you
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Not sure if you’ll be approved?
When is a loan the right option
A loan may suit you if
- You need a one-off amount for something unexpected - a car repair, a boiler, a bill that will not wait
- You can afford the repayments alongside your usual outgoings
- You have already checked whether something cheaper would work
- You want a decision quickly and you know what you can repay
It is probably not right if
- You would be using credit to cover everyday living costs
- You are already struggling to keep up with repayments elsewhere
- You could borrow more cheaply - a credit union, an arranged overdraft, or help from family
- You are not confident you can repay on time
How it works
We know you need your money as soon as possible. That's why we have designed our website to be fast and simple.
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Apply online
Fill out our short, secure form and search a panel of FCA-regulated lenders to see the offers available to you.
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Check your offer
Once you have your offer from the lender, you can review the offer and get your cash.
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Get your money
Once accepted, your money can often be paid into your account the same day.
If borrowing is not the answer right now
These organisations give free, impartial debt advice. They do not charge, they do not sell anything, and talking to them does not affect your credit file.
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MoneyHelper
Free, impartial money and debt guidance, backed by government, including a debt advice locator.
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StepChange
Free, confidential debt advice and managed debt plans, online or over the phone.
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National Debtline
Free, independent advice on dealing with debts, with fact sheets and sample letters.
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Citizens Advice
Free help with debt, benefits and housing, in person, by phone or online.
0800 144 8848 (England; Wales 0800 702 2020)
If you're unsure whether borrowing is right for you, our eligibility criteria page explains who lenders can consider.
Eligibility questions
The things people ask most before they apply.
Can I apply if I have bad credit?
Yes. Our lender panel considers all credit scores, including poor credit, defaults and past missed payments. A low score does not rule you out on its own.
What matters most to a lender is whether the repayments are affordable for you now. That is why the form asks about your income and regular outgoings as well as your credit history.
How much can I borrow?
Between £50 and £5000, over terms typically from 3 to 36 months.
The amount you are actually offered depends on your circumstances and the lender’s affordability assessment - it may be less than you ask for, and you are never obliged to accept what is offered.
How quickly could I get the money?
You get a decision in minutes. If you accept an offer, many lenders on our panel can pay out the same day, though the exact timing depends on the lender and on your own bank.
Nothing is paid out until you have read the lender’s agreement and accepted it.
Can I apply if I’m self-employed or receiving benefits?
Yes. Income from self-employment, pensions and most benefits counts towards the regular income a lender assesses. You do not need to be in traditional employment.
You will be asked to show that the income is regular and that the repayments are affordable alongside your other commitments.
