Why Haven’t I Received My W-2 Instapay Payment?
W-2 Instapay provides workers quick access to a portion of their earnings for completed shifts. If you're experiencing delays or haven't received payment, this article outlines possible causes and solutions.
Understanding W-2 Instapay
W-2 Instapay allows workers to receive a portion of their earnings after shifts instead of waiting for the regular weekly payroll. To use Instapay, ensure your payment settings are configured within the app.Additionally, W-2 shifts differ from 1099 shifts in terms of Instapay availability. While 1099 shifts typically allow unrestricted Instapay access, W-2 shifts are subject to payroll regulations and are often divided into partial payouts and weekly cycles.
Eligibility Requirements
Completion of two W-2 shifts is required to activate Instapay.
Ensure your payment settings are configured for Instapay before your shifts: - Navigate to Profile > Settings > Payment settings, and confirm your Payment Frequency is set to Instapay.
Instapay must be confirmed at the time of clock-out to apply.4. Shifts qualifying for Instapay depend on partner employer agreements and business rules. For example, shifts explicitly labeled as "W2 Weekly Paycheck" do not support the Instapay feature.
Payment Timelines
If You Chose a Debit Card:
Instapay funds are generally available within about an hour once processed.
For Checking Accounts:
Transfers can take up to 3-5 business days depending on your bank.
Weekly Pay:
If your payment settings are not configured for Instapay or confirmation was missed at clock-out, payment defaults to the weekly payment cycle. In these cases: - Shifts completed between Monday-Sunday will be processed the following Wednesday. - Funds typically arrive by Saturday.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Steps
1. Eligibility Checks:
Confirm completion of two shifts and proper setup of W-2 onboarding.
Verify availability of Instapay in your location; W-2 Instapay is currently unavailable in Colorado (CO), and Connecticut (CT).
2. Payment Confirmation:
Always confirm Instapay post shifts. Payments not confirmed will go to weekly payroll.
3. Pending Approvals:
Payments may be delayed if hours are "Pending Approval" from the site supervisor. Approval timelines vary but most payments are cleared within a few days.
4. Payment Method Issues:
Double-check your payment method in settings. Changes made post-clock-out won’t apply retroactively to that shift but will update for future payments.
5. Tax Deductions and Fees:
Payments may be split between Instapay and the regular payroll cycle to account for taxes or other deductions. Instapay also incurs a 5% expedited delivery fee, (in CALIFORNIA its a $5 flat fee) while weekly payments are free.- For W-2 Instapay, a partial payout of 60% of gross earnings is issued immediately, with the remaining balance processed as part of the weekly payroll cycle.
Troubleshooting Delayed Payments
The following advice applies to most payment delays:
Verify the status of your payment in the app’s Earnings section.
Check your bank account or card for pending deposits.
Allow for processing times (up to 3-5 business days) depending on your payment destination.
If your payment remains missing beyond the expected timeframe: - Confirm all settings for Instapay. - If necessary, escalate the issue through customer support.
Regional Restrictions
If you reside in CO, or CT, note that W-2 Instapay services are currently unavailable. Payments for shifts in these states will be processed as part of the weekly payroll cycle.Instawork is actively working to expand W-2 Instapay services to more states and shift types. Announcements will be made when new regions become eligible for the feature.
Contact Support
If you’ve completed all troubleshooting and still haven’t received your payment, please contact Instawork support for assistance. Include any relevant details, such as your payment settings and shift date, when reaching out.