Why won't MoneyLion let me borrow money?

Asked by: Jadyn Thiel V  |  Last update: September 5, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (64 votes)

MoneyLion typically restricts borrowing or Instacash advances if your linked account lacks 60+ days of history, consistent direct deposits, or if identity verification fails. Other reasons include having2 outstanding balances, insufficient income, or using a non-qualifying bank account (like savings).

Why won't MoneyLion let me borrow money?

MoneyLion might not have given you a loan or cash advance for a few reasons. It's possible your personal information doesn't match public records so your identity can't be verified or that your linked checking account can't be verified.

Why am I not eligible for InstaCash on MoneyLion?

Any account that cannot be confirmed as a checking account, such as a savings or money market account, will not qualify for Instacash. IDENTITY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: We must be able to verify your identity and checking account ownership: Enter your info as it appears on your bank account.

How to get approved for a MoneyLion loan?

To qualify for a personal loan, you'll typically need a credit score of at least 580 to 660, a steady income, a valid ID, proof of address, and an active bank account. Your debt-to-income ratio should be under 40%.

How do you qualify for MoneyLion cash advance?

In order to receive an Instacash Advance, you are required to maintain either (1) a RoarMoney Demand Deposit Account (“RoarMoney Account”) at Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC (“Bank”) or (2) link an external eligible bank account (“Linked Account”) and associated debit card (“Bank Card”) to your Instacash account (any such ...

This $35,000 Loan Trick Feels ILLEGAL (But It’s Not)

24 related questions found

Why was I denied a cash advance?

Bank or ATM issues: The bank or ATM you are using to withdraw the cash may be experiencing technical difficulties or may not accept your credit card. Suspicious activity: If your credit card issuer suspects fraudulent activity on your account, they may decline the cash advance request as a security measure.

Is MoneyLion not working?

MoneyLion is up

StatusGator reports that MoneyLion is currently operational. There have been no user-submitted reports of outages in the past 24 hours. StatusGator last detected an outage on December 5, 2025 .

Does MoneyLion approve everyone?

Anyone can apply for MoneyLion's credit builder program, but everyone may not qualify for a MoneyLion credit builder loan, but you have a good chance of being approved if you meet the age, identity, and financial requirements.

Can I borrow money with Apple Pay?

Apple Pay used to offer “Buy Now, Pay Later” programs, but are no longer taking on new loans. If you have an Apple Cash balance, you can transfer money directly from your Apple Cash card to your bank account or debit card.

What credit score do you need for MoneyLion?

There is no minimum credit score needed for a MoneyLion loan. That's because MoneyLion does not do a credit creck at all, which means even people with bad credit or no credit can qualify. However, there may be more worthwhile alternative lenders for you to consider.

Does MoneyLion actually give loans?

For $19.99 a month, MoneyLion lets you borrow $500 – $1,000. Part or all of the funds may be held in a reserve account, which you unlock once the loan (plus interest) is repaid — typically within 12 months. Your payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping build your credit if you pay on time.

How to get $500 from MoneyLion?

To get $500 from MoneyLion, use their Instacash feature in the app by linking your bank account and setting up direct deposits, which allows you to access up to $500 of your earned wages with no interest or credit check, though an optional "Turbo" fee gets you instant funds, while standard delivery takes 1-5 days. Eligibility for higher amounts (up to $1000) is possible with RoarMoney accounts and consistent direct deposits, but your specific limit is determined by the app based on your financial activity, say MoneyLion and MoneyLion. 

Which bank owns MoneyLion?

The Board of Directors of both Gen and MoneyLion have unanimously approved the proposed acquisition of MoneyLion by Gen for $82.00 per share in cash payable at closing, representing a cash value of approximately $1 billion.

Why won't MoneyLion let me borrow money?

❌ No Linked Bank Account – Instacash needs an account to pull from. Make sure you've linked the one where your direct deposits land. ❌ Irregular Paychecks – If your income isn't on a consistent schedule, MoneyLion might not verify it or may take longer to verify that they're regular deposits.

Are there alternatives to payday loans?

Additional Alternatives to Payday Loans

Many state-chartered credit unions offer products similar to PALs. Federal credit union loans that aren't official PALs can have a maximum APR of 18%, according to the NCUA. That may be a better deal than a PAL at 28% APR, but lenders may have stricter eligibility requirements.

Why can't I get InstaCash on MoneyLion?

MoneyLion uses your banking and deposit history to decide if you're eligible for Instacash. You may only get access to $10 after first linking your bank account, but that amount should increase once MoneyLion confirms a regularly occurring direct deposit.