Brigit not approving you? 7 reasons and fixes

First, read the Instant Cash screen

Brigit tells you which of the three eligibility checks failed — account age, positive balance or recurring deposits — on the Instant Cash tab. Start there. If all three are green and you're still being offered less than you need, the issue is your Brigit Score, not eligibility; see the limit guide. If a check is red, find it in the list below.

The seven reasons, with fixes

1. You linked the wrong account

What it looks like: Joint, secondary, savings, or a new online account instead of where your pay lands.

Fix: Settings → Linked accounts → add or switch to the account that receives direct deposit. Eligibility re-runs within minutes.

2. Fewer than three recurring deposits

What it looks like: New job, new account, or your last deposit came from a different payer.

Fix: Wait for the next one or two paydays. If you changed employers, the count restarts for the new source.

3. Negative balance after payday

What it looks like: Auto-pay bills or transfers drain the account below $0 within a day or two of being paid.

Fix: Move one bill's date later in the cycle, or keep a $25–$50 buffer. One clean payday often flips the check green.

4. Irregular income pattern

What it looks like: Gig payouts, freelance invoices or tips of varying size and timing.

Fix: Consolidate: set your platform to pay weekly on a fixed day into one account. Give Brigit two or three cycles to recognize it. Paper checks and cash deposits never count.

5. Account under 60 days old or barely used

What it looks like: A new account, or one you only use for a monthly transfer.

Fix: Run everyday spending through it. If it's new, there's no shortcut — wait for day 60.

6. An unpaid advance or returned debit

What it looks like: Your last repayment bounced, or you still have an advance open.

Fix: Repay in the app. New advances unlock once the balance clears; a bounce may lower your next limit for a cycle.

7. Broken or read-only bank connection

What it looks like: Password changed, bank added 2FA, or the bank only allows read access through Plaid.

Fix: Reconnect in Settings → Linked accounts. If the bank is read-only (some small banks and prepaid programs), you'll need a different checking account.

How long to wait before trying again

Brigit re-evaluates continuously; you don't need to reapply. Open the Instant Cash tab after each payday to see if the status changed.

If you need money before Brigit says yes

• Other advance apps with different rules: EarnIn verifies hours rather than bank history; Chime MyPay works from your first direct deposit if you bank with Chime. See the alternatives comparison.
• Credit-union PAL: up to $2,000 at a 28% APR cap, available to new members at many federal credit unions.
• Personal loan for $200–$5,000: fixed monthly payments and no bank-history test; the form on our homepage shows your options without a hard credit check.
• Avoid: payday and title loans. A $300 payday loan costs $45 every two weeks it stays open.