Type your state into the box. In two seconds, you'll know whether payday loans are legal where you live, what they cost, and what to do next. No forms to fill, no email required.
Does my state even allow payday loans?
Yes, no, or sort of. The checker sorts every state into three buckets.
Allowed: 23 states plus Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming license single-payment payday loans. Fees range widely. Minnesota caps fees at $10 per $100 for larger loans. Other states permit higher charges. The full table—every state's exact fee cap, term cap, loan-amount cap, rollover limit, and cooling-off period—lives in the 2026 Cost Index.
Restricted: A 36% APR cap effectively ends single-payment payday lending. Borrowers in these states see installment loans instead. Funding times are usually a few business days rather than same-day, but the total dollar cost is typically 80–90% lower than the equivalent payday product in an allowed state.
Banned: A handful of states prohibit the product entirely. The checker will route you to alternatives.
State legislatures set everything. The 2017 CFPB Payday Rule adds federal procedural protections—payment provisions, ACH two-strike rules, notice requirements—but the dollar-cost question is decided by your state legislature.
Why does the same loan cost $52 in one state and $4 in another?
Because state law sets the fee cap. Here's the math.
Take a $300 loan for 14 days.
In Alabama, the legal maximum is roughly $52.50 in fees. That's what the lender keeps.
In Illinois, the same loan capped at 36% APR costs about $4.14 in interest.
Both loans are for $300. Both are due in 14 days. The difference is state law.
The checker shows you which regime you live under. If you're curious about specific states, see our deep dives for Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, or Ohio.
Will the checker hurt my credit?
No. The eligibility checker runs on state law, not your credit report. It does not pull your file. It does not leave a mark.
The checker asks two things: where you live, and whether you're active-duty military. It cross-references state statutes and, if applicable, the DMDC database for Military Lending Act status. That's it.
If you choose to apply after seeing your results, that's when a lender may review your credit. The checker itself is invisible to credit bureaus.
What if I live near a border?
Use your residential address, not your workplace. Some ZIP codes do span state lines. ZIP 73950, for example, covers parts of Oklahoma and Texas. The checker defaults to the state where your address is registered for tax purposes.
If you've moved recently, use your current address. Lenders verify residence before funding. Applying with an old address just delays denial.
I'm military. Does anything change?
Yes. The federal Military Lending Act caps the Military APR (MAPR) on most consumer credit at 36% for active-duty service members, their spouses, and dependents.
PayKedge screens MLA status at application via the DMDC database and will not refer covered borrowers to lenders whose offer would exceed the 36% MAPR cap.
If you're military and being offered a payday loan above 36% APR, that is likely an MLA violation. The checker flags this automatically.
How to use the checker: a three-step walkthrough
- Enter your state. Type the full state name or two-letter code. The dropdown narrows as you type.
- Confirm military status. Click yes or no. This triggers the MLA screen if applicable.
- Read your result card. The card shows: legal status (allowed/restricted/banned), estimated cost for a $300, 14-day loan, next-step button, and timestamp of last law update.
If your state is allowed, the application form takes about 30 seconds and shows you offers in 60–90 seconds.
If your state is restricted or banned, the 15 alternatives ranked by cost page is the right next stop.
If you've already taken a payday loan and need help repaying, the crisis guide walks through your first 72 hours step by step.
What if the law just changed?
The checker updates quarterly. If your state passed a law in the last 90 days, the checker may be one quarter behind. We push emergency updates within 14 days when a state's legal status changes mid-quarter.
Check the timestamp on your result card. If it predates a recent news story, verify directly with your state regulator.
FAQ: what borrowers actually ask
Why does the checker say "restricted" when I know people here who got payday loans?
They probably got an installment loan, not a single-payment payday loan. A 36% APR cap effectively ends single-payment payday lending, but installment-only models fill the gap. These look similar—fast cash, short term—but they're structured differently and cost less. The checker distinguishes between the two.
Can I use this if I'm undocumented?
The checker itself has no citizenship check. It only asks for state and military status. However, individual lenders have their own requirements. If you proceed to apply, be prepared to show proof of income and a bank account. Some lenders require Social Security numbers; others accept ITINs.
What's an EPP and why does the checker mention it?
Why is there no Spanish version?
Spanish-language version is in the v0.2 roadmap. For now, browser translation tools work reasonably well on the checker's simple interface. We prioritize accuracy in English before expanding.
The checker says I'm restricted, but I really need cash today. What are my actual options?
Start with the 15 alternatives ranked by cost. Quick wins: If you're a member of a federal credit union, you can apply for a Payday Alternative Loan capped at 28% APR. If you're not a member, joining is usually a $5–$25 deposit. Many large employers offer same-day, interest-free advances of $200–$1,000 against your next paycheck. Fees are typically $3–$5 per advance. United Way 211, Modest Needs, and several faith-based networks provide small grants for rent, utilities, and medical bills. None of these require a payday loan.