Earned Wage Access

Earned Wage Access (EWA – also see Early Wage Access) is a financial service that allows employees to access a portion of the wages they’ve already earned before their regular payday. These programs are often offered through employers or third-party apps.

EWA claims to help workers manage cash flow between pay periods and avoid high-interest payday loans. But many operate like short-term loans with fees, opaque pricing, and weak consumer protections.