California Payday Loans up to $255

How California Same-Day Payday Loans Work

With LendUp, you can request up to $300 (state cap) for up to 31 days. The fee is 15% of the face value�$45 on $300. A soft credit check or none. Same-day funding if approved by 5 p.m. PT via ACH, debit push, or cash pickup.

Apply

Submit a short online form with your California address, SSN or ITIN, proof of at least $1,000 income, an active checking account, a government-issued ID, and consent to electronic disclosures.

Decision and funding

Automated underwriting returns most weekday decisions in minutes. Approvals before 10:30 a.m. PT qualify for same-day ACH; debit card push payments are available until 5 p.m. PT. Later approvals fund the next bank day.

Repay

Your single payment�principal plus up to $15 per $100� is withdrawn automatically on or before day 31. You can repay early online without penalty.

California's $255 Payday Loan Limits

State caps

Feature	California State Limit
Maximum Loan Amount (Face Value)	$300
Maximum Lender Fee	$45 (15% of face value)
Maximum Amount Received by Borrower	$255
Maximum Loan Term	31 days
Rollovers Permitted	No

How it works

Under California�s Deferred Deposit Transaction Law, a payday loan�s legal face value is $300. Lenders may charge up to 15% of that amount ($45). The fee is deducted upfront and included in the $300 you agree to repay by the due date, within 31 days; you receive a maximum of $255 to your bank account. Rollovers aren�t allowed.

No licensed California lender can give you more than $255 in cash from a single payday loan. You can�t take another payday loan from the same lender until the first is fully repaid. If your need is above $255, you�ll need to look at other options.

Eligibility Requirements for Payday Loans in California

California law and LendUp policies set the ground rules for approval. You must meet all items below before we can review your request.

Age and ID

You must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and provide a state or federal photo ID plus a Social Security number or ITIN for identity and OFAC checks.

Income and Bank Account

Show verifiable, steady income�pay, unemployment, disability, or gig earnings�of at least $1,000 per month after taxes. You also need an active checking account that supports ACH credits and debits. Prepaid cards aren�t accepted.

California Residency

Submit proof of residence such as a driver�s license, recent utility bill, lease, or government mail.

Contact Details

Provide a working mobile number, email, and employer or benefit provider contact for same-day confirmation. No outstanding payday loans above the $300 state cap. Active-duty military covered by the MLA are ineligible. Applications completed by 10:30 a.m. PT often fund the same business day.

Same-Day Funding: When Your Money Actually Arrives

Timeline

Apply, get approved, and sign before LendUp�s daily deadline and your funds can be pushed to an eligible Visa or Mastercard debit card within minutes. If not, standard ACH deposits arrive the next business day. Same-Day ACH is available at some banks when the file reaches the Federal Reserve�s 12:45 p.m. PT window.

Cutoffs and posting

Finish by about noon PT for the best chance today. Target 11:30 a.m. PT for push-to-card or 10:30 a.m. PT for Same-Day ACH. Requests after 6 p.m. PT queue for the next business day. Many large banks post same-day credits by 5 p.m. Some credit unions post overnight. No settlements on weekends or Federal Reserve holidays.

Possible delays

• Name or routing or account mismatches
• Newly opened, overdrawn, or flagged accounts
• Debit card not enabled for Original Credit Transactions
• Fraud screening or added income verification

Delivery Method	Cut-off (PT)	Arrival Time	Typical Fee
Instant push-to-debit	11:30 a.m.	< 1 hour	Up to $4*
Same-Day ACH	10:30 a.m.	By 5 p.m.	$0
Standard ACH	6 p.m.	Next business day	$0

*Fee waived for returning Ladder customers.

Payday Loan Costs and APR in California

What you pay

California�s Deferred Deposit Transaction Law (Fin. Code �23036) lets a lender charge up to 15% of the face amount of the check, not the cash you receive. The fee is taken upfront, so you pay about $17.65 per $100 you take home. The face amount can�t exceed $300; the most you can receive is $255.

Repayment examples: $100 → $17.65 fee → $117.65 total; $200 → $35.29 → $235.29; $255 (state max) → $45.00 → $300.00.

APR explained

APR ≈ (fee � amount advanced) � (365 � loan days) � 100. Example: $100 advance with a $17.65 fee for 14 days ≈ 461% APR. Term length changes APR; the dollar fee stays capped at 15% of the repayment check. Returned-item fees are capped at $15. No rollovers or refinances. No extra interest after the preset fee. One loan per borrower statewide. No late fees beyond the $15 returned-check charge.

$255 Payday Loans for Bad Credit Borrowers

How Credit Affects Your Eligibility

Your credit score won't automatically disqualify you from getting a $255 payday loan. Lenders typically care more about your current income, an active checking account, and valid government ID. In California, where the $255 amount became standard, state law caps loans at $300 with fees limited to 15% of the loan amount. That means you'd borrow $255 and repay $300. Many lenders only perform a soft credit check, which won't hurt your FICO score.

A few things can still cause problems. Recent bankruptcies or unpaid payday loans might get you denied. You'll usually need verifiable monthly income between $1,000 and $1,500. Most lenders won't report your loan to credit bureaus unless you default and it goes to collections. State regulations may also restrict how many payday loans you can have at once.

Boosting Your Approval Odds

You can improve your chances by showing financial stability. Keep steady direct deposits for at least three months. Avoid any overdrafts in the past month since lenders review your bank activity. Have recent pay stubs, benefit letters, or gig income records ready. Only request what you can realistically repay with your next paycheck.

Alternatives to California Payday Loans You Should Consider

Credit unions and banks

You can check a California credit union for a small-dollar loan or a federally regulated Payday Alternative Loan (PAL). APR is capped at 28%, with at least 30 days to repay. Joining usually costs $5 or less and can be completed online. PAL I offers $200�$1,000 for 1�6 months; PAL II offers up to $2,000 for 1�12 months.

Talk to your creditors and employer

Call your utility, phone, or medical provider for a payment plan or due-date extension; many waive late fees. Ask your employer about a payroll advance or earned-wage access. Confirm any flat fees or optional tips first.

Community and state resources

Dial 211 in California to find rent, food, and utility help from local nonprofits. You may qualify for county relief funds or one-time emergency grants through CalWORKs and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Bring recent bills, ID, and proof of income to speed approval.

Online vs. Storefront Payday Lenders in California

Speed

You can submit your details online in minutes and get a quick decision. If you apply early and your bank supports fast deposits, funds can arrive the same day; otherwise they typically post the next business day. At a storefront, you can receive cash after approval, so an in-person visit may be fastest when a nearby location is open.

Convenience

Online lets you apply anytime from your phone, no travel or lines. Storefronts offer face-to-face help but require a trip during business hours.

Verification

Online lenders usually ask you for a valid ID, an active California bank account, proof of income, and e-signatures, sometimes with document uploads. Storefronts verify the same items in person and may ask for a paper pay stub or a postdated check.

Both channels are licensed by the DFPI.

Aspect	Online	Storefront
Hours	24/7 application	Business hours
Funding	ACH same-day	Instant cash

What Happens If You Can't Repay Your California Payday Loan

Collections and fees

If you miss payment, your lender may cash your check or debit your account. If it bounces, only one NSF fee up to $15 is allowed under Cal. Fin. Code �23036(d), and no extra interest accrues. The debt may go to a licensed collector.

Extended payment plan

You can request one 60-day, no-cost Extended Payment Plan with at least four equal installments per �23036(f).

Legal exposure

Default is civil, not criminal. A lender has four years to sue. Wages can be garnished only after judgment, and then up to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above 40 times the state minimum wage.

Credit and your rights

Unpaid balances may be reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for up to seven years. The Rosenthal Act and the FDCPA bar harassment, false threats, and calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. You can dispute the debt and revoke ACH authorization in writing.

California's Deferred Deposit Transaction Law Explained

Licensing and contracts

In California, payday loans�called deferred deposit transactions�are governed by the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law (CDDTL). Every lender must hold an active license from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and display its license number prominently in-store and on each loan web page. You must get a written contract in your preferred language showing fees, one due date no later than 31 days, and your right to rescind through the next business day. You can�t hold more than one outstanding payday loan with the same lender.

No rollovers

Renewals, rollovers, or splitting a balance into new transactions are not allowed. A lender also cannot issue a new payday loan to pay off an old one.

Enforcement and protections

Maximum advance is $300 with fees capped at $15 per $100 borrowed (effective APR ≈ 460%). Collectors can�t threaten arrest or criminal prosecution. DFPI audits records, investigates complaints, and may order restitution, fines, or license revocation.

How Your Credit Score Affects Payday Loan Approval

Credit checks

In California, same-day payday lenders rarely run a hard inquiry with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Instead, they use identity tools and specialty bureaus like Teletrack or Clarity Services to find unpaid payday balances or multiple simultaneous loans. These are soft pulls, so they don�t appear on your consumer disclosure and won�t lower your FICO score.

Bad credit

A sub-600 score isn�t an automatic decline under California�s Deferred Deposit Transaction Law. Lenders focus on:

• Verifiable net income of at least $1,000�$1,500 per month
• Regular pay dates that fit the 31-day repayment cap
• An active checking account with limited NSF or overdraft activity
• No outstanding payday loans that would exceed the $300 state limit

LendUp�s approach

LendUp uses a proprietary model that blends soft credit data, current cash-flow, and your past on-time payments. Thin or missing credit files are scored separately, so first-time borrowers with limited history may still qualify�though your amount may start below the $300 statutory maximum until positive repayment behavior is proven.

Documentation Needed to Get Approved Today

Your same-day checklist

To keep your LendUp application moving in California, gather:

• Government‑issued photo ID (CA driver�s license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• Proof of current California address (utility bill, lease, or bank correspondence)
• Most recent pay stub, benefits letter, or gig‑platform earnings summary
• Active personal checking account with routing and account numbers
• Bank statement from the last 30�60 days showing deposits and balance
• Employer or income source contact details and your next pay date
• Working mobile phone and email address
• Debit card linked to the same checking account for instant transfers (optional)

Speed it up

Upload clear PDFs or photos, make sure names and addresses match across documents, and use records dated within the past 60 days. Following these steps helps you stay within California�s same‑day funding window.

Payday Loan Scams and Unlicensed Lenders to Avoid in California

Red flags

• No CA finance lender or DDTL license online or in-store
• �Guaranteed approval� or �no credit check ever�
• Upfront fees before funds are deposited
• Pressure to sign fast or share online-banking logins
• Payment only via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire
• Threats of arrest or wage garnishment without a court judgment
• APR above 460% or fees over $45 on a $300 loan

Verify a license

Use DFPI�s public license search. The name, address, and license number must match the lender�s site or store. If anything doesn�t match, leave.

Report it

If scammed, save records, notify your bank, and report within 24 hours using the contacts below.

Agency	Website / Phone
DFPI	dfpi.ca.gov | 1-866-275-2677
FTC	reportfraud.ftc.gov | 1-877-382-4357
CFPB	consumerfinance.gov | 1-855-411-2372

What to Expect if You Can't Repay Your $255 Loan

Under California law, if your payment doesn�t clear, a lender can only charge one non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee up to $15. If you expect trouble paying on time, contact LendUp immediately. We may work with you on a payment arrangement or discuss options before things escalate.

Ignoring it won�t make it go away. Default can lead to:

• Collection activities: Your account may go to a third-party collector. All efforts must comply with federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and California�s Rosenthal Act.
• Impact on future borrowing: A default can make approval with LendUp or other lenders harder.
• Potential credit score damage: If a collector reports the debt to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, your score can be harmed.
• Legal protections: You cannot be threatened with or face criminal prosecution in California for failing to repay a payday loan.

Early action gives you more control.

Common Questions About $255 Payday Loans Answered

Do you need collateral

You don't need to put up any collateral for a $255 payday loan. These are unsecured loans, which means approval depends on your income and whether you have an active checking account. You won't need to pledge your car or property.

Can you repay early

You can pay off your loan ahead of schedule without penalty. Federal regulations don't allow prepayment fees, and most states actually require lenders to refund any unearned interest when you settle before the standard due date of 14 to 31 days.

Will applying hurt your credit

Most payday lenders use a soft credit check through specialty bureaus like Clarity, which won't affect your FICO score. If you default on the loan, that's different�the lender may report it to major credit bureaus and your score could drop.

Can you have more than one loan

State rules vary, but many restrict you to one active payday loan or cap total balances below $500. California limits borrowers to one advance of up to $300 plus a $45 fee at any given time.

Can you extend or cancel

Rollovers aren't allowed in 26 states. Where they're permitted, you might get one renewal but expect additional fees. Most lenders let you cancel by the next business day if you return the principal amount.