How to resolve payment issues on Instawork
Payment issues can sometimes occur when working through Instawork. This article explains common payment problems, how to identify them, and the steps to resolve them quickly.
Common payment problems and their causes
1. Payment not received
If your payment shows as "Paid" in the app but hasn't arrived in your account, this could be due to:
- Incorrect bank account or routing number
- Closed or restricted account
- Bank processing delays
- Digital bank or prepaid card limitations
2. Payment amount discrepancies
If the amount you received is different from what you expected, this might be because of:
- Approved timesheet adjustments
- Unpaid break time deductions
- Taxes and deductions (for W-2 shifts)
- Instapay fees (if applicable)
- Partial payments for disputed hours
3. Delayed payments
Payments may be delayed because of:
- Missing clock-in or clock-out
- Hours disputes under review
- Bank holidays
- Recent changes to your payment information
- Account verification requirements
[Placeholder: screenshot of payment status in the app — Shows where to check payment status]
How to fix payment issues
Verify and update your bank information
If your payment failed due to incorrect bank details:
1. Open the Instawork app
2. Go to your Profile
3. Tap the gear icon (Settings)
4. Select "Payment Settings"
5. Tap "Edit" next to your bank account or debit card
6. Update your information:
- Full legal name (exactly as it appears on your bank account)
- Correct account number (not your 16-digit card number)
- Valid ACH routing number (9 digits)
- Proper account type (checking or savings)
7. Tap "Save" to confirm your changes
Report a missing payment
If your payment is missing entirely:
1. Gather the following information:
- Date and location of the shift
- Number of hours worked
- Name of the on-site supervisor
- Photo of your timesheet (if available)
2. Contact support through the app:
- Tap the "?" icon
- Select "Payment Issues"
- Provide all the details you gathered
- Include any supporting evidence
Support will escalate your case to the verification team, and you should receive an update within 1-3 business days.
Address payment amount discrepancies
If you received less than expected:
1. Check your earnings details in the app:
- Go to the Earnings tab
- Find the shift in question
- Review the breakdown of hours and pay
2. Look for possible explanations:
- Unpaid break deductions
- Timesheet adjustments
- W-2 tax withholdings
- Instapay fees
3. If you believe there's still an error:
- Contact support with specific details
- Provide evidence of your actual hours worked
- Include any timesheet photos or supervisor information
How to prevent payment issues
Follow these best practices to avoid payment problems:
1. Keep your banking information current
- Update your payment details immediately if you change banks
- Double-check all numbers when entering account information
2. Clock in and out properly
- Always use the Instawork app to clock in and out
- Make sure you're within the geofence when clocking in/out
- Contact support immediately if you have clock-in/out issues
3. Document your work
- Take photos of any paper timesheets you sign
- Note the names of supervisors you work with
- Keep track of your actual hours worked
4. Use traditional banks when possible
- Traditional bank accounts typically have fewer issues
- Some digital banks and prepaid cards may experience delays
If you have questions about a payment issue, please contact our support team through the app as soon as possible.