How To Get A Payday Loan In Prince Edward Island


If you need a quick cash fix, you may consider a payday loan in PEI. These loans are typically very easy to qualify for, even if you have bad credit or don’t have a strong income. Plus, you can get the money within hours after applying.
But in exchange for this convenience and speed, payday loans are usually extremely expensive and can be tough to repay in such a short amount of time.
What Can You Expect With Payday Loans In PEI?
If you’re facing an urgent cash need, payday loans can offer quick access to funds and are generally easier to qualify for than traditional personal loans. However, they come with high borrowing costs and very short repayment periods, which can make them tough to manage and repay on time without falling into a cycle of debt.
Payday Loan Amount | Up to $1,500 |
Loan Term | Up to 62 days |
Interest | $14 per $100 borrowed |
Funding Speed | As quickly as same-day |
Funding Method | – E-Transfer- Direct deposit- Cash |
Learn more: Payday Loans
What Are The Requirements For A Payday Loan In PEI?
Getting approved for a payday loan in PEI is usually much easier compared to other loan types. Generally speaking, you’ll only need to meet the following criteria:
- Have a physical address in Canada
- Be at least 18 years old
- Earn a stable income
- Have a bank account in good standing
Can I Get A Payday Loan In PEI With No Credit Check?
Usually, payday lenders do not check credit reports or report to the credit bureaus. They mainly determine approval by verifying your income, identity, address, and bank account. Applying or being approved for a payday loan alone shouldn’t affect your rating in any way.
The caveat is that if you default on your payday loan, your debt could be sold to a collections agency. They will report the unpaid loan to the credit bureaus, and having something in collections can worsen your credit rating substantially. Be sure to ask the provider in advance if they require a credit check and how they handle reporting.
Can I Get A Payday Loan In PEI Without Being Employed?
You may not necessarily have to be employed to get a payday loan in PEI. While payday lenders often require proof of steady income, it doesn’t have to come from a traditional job. Many lenders may accept reliable income from other sources, like Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, pensions, disability payments, Canada Child Benefit (CCB), or other government assistance.
Where Can You Find A Licensed Payday Lenders In PEI
Payday lenders must be licensed to issue payday loans in PEI. Do not apply for a payday loan with an unlicensed lender.
Be sure to look for their license number in PEI before applying. You should be able to find this information either on the lender’s website or on their physical storefront.
How To Apply For A Payday Loan In PEI
To apply for a payday loan in PEI, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose A Lender
Look for a reputable payday lender licensed in PEI. Check reviews and make sure their terms are transparent. You can quickly and easily find a payday lender using Loans Canada’s CompareHub tool.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Lenders may want to see certain documents to provide your identity, residency, and income, and may ask for the following:
- Proof of income (pay stubs, government benefits, etc.)
- Valid ID (driver’s license, passport)
- Bank account information
- Proof of address (utility bill or lease)
Step 3: Complete The Application
Fill out the lender’s application accurately and in full. You’ll need to provide information such as your name, banking information, and employment/income information.
Step 4: Wait For Approval
Most payday lenders offer instant or same-day approvals. Then, you can review and sign your loan contract.
Step 5: Receive Your Funds
Once approved, funds are typically sent via Interac e-Transfer within a few minutes to a few hours. Some lenders may also offer direct deposit or cash pickup in-store.
What Is Instant Bank Verification (IBV)? Instant Bank Verification is a secure and quick way for lenders to digitally review your bank activity, like income, current balance, and recent transactions. This helps lenders quickly assess whether you can afford the loan and speeds up the approval process. Instead of submitting paper statements, you connect to your bank account using a third-party service, which shares read-only data with the lender for a short time. IBV is fast, secure, and can help you get funded faster as a result. |
Your Rights As A Payday Loan Borrower In PEI
You have certain rights as a consumer in PEI. When it comes to payday loans, lenders have specific rules to follow to ensure that you’re not taken advantage of or coerced into taking out a loan you can’t afford to pay back.
In PEI, these are the rules on payday loans:
Payday Loan Amount | Up to $1,500 |
Loan Term | Up to 62 days |
Interest | $14 per $100 borrowed |
Default Consequences | N/A |
Cooling period | 2 business days |
Loan Rollover | Not permitted; at least 7 days must pass since the full balance was paid on the first loan |
How To File A Complaint Against A Lender In PEI
If you’re experiencing problems with your payday lender in PEI, you can file a complaint with the Financial and Consumer Services Division.
Make sure that your submission clearly explains your complaint, how you want it to be resolved, and what you’ve done to resolve the issue. You can also request a reasonable time for a reply and should include any relevant documents to support your claim. Someone will reach out to you either by telephone, e-mail, or mail.
By Mail | Complete your written complaint and mail it to: Financial and Consumer Services Division Shaw Building, 1st Floor North 105 Rochford St. PO Box 2000 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 |
By email | Submit your complaint in writing by emailing it to: ccs@gov.pe.ca |
How Much Will Your Payday Loan Cost You?
As per the above chart, the most a lender in PEI can charge you for a payday loan is $14 for every $100 borrowed. To illustrate what this cost would look like, consider the following loan amounts and the total cost to borrow with a two-week loan term:
Amount Borrowed | Cost Of Borrowing |
$100 | $14 |
$200 | $28 |
$300 | $42 |
$400 | $56 |
$500 | $70 |
$1,000 | $140 |
$1,500 | $210 |
What Happens If You Miss A Payday Loan In PEI?
If you don’t repay your payday loan, you’ll likely face consequences. That said, your lender cannot arbitrarily penalize you. There are rules the lender must follow when it comes to how to deal with unpaid payday loans:
- Maximum penalty. Under the Payday Loans Act in PEI, lenders cannot impose default charges outside reasonable charges to cover legal costs that are incurred when collecting a required payment under the loan agreement. This will be up to 2.5% under the new federal regulations.
- Maximum NSF fee. Lenders can only charge what is considered reasonable to cover legal costs associated with dishonoured cheques. However, under the new Regulations proposed by the federal government, these costs will be limited to $20 or less.
- Collections. If payday lenders are unable to collect unpaid debt, they may hand the debt to a collection agency. These agencies also have rules to follow. For instance, they must be licensed in PEI, can only contact you on certain days and times, and cannot use threatening or harassing language.
Watch Out For These Things When Taking Out A Payday Loan
Being able to quickly access fast cash with little qualification criteria may sound great, but there are a couple of things to consider before you apply:
Be Cautious of Scammers
Many payday loan applicants in PEI face urgent financial challenges or can’t qualify for a regular loan with traditional lenders. Unfortunately, this vulnerability is often a target for scammers who pose as legitimate lenders online. These predatory lenders may attempt to collect your personal or banking information through fake loan offers.
Always verify the lender’s credentials and reputation before sharing any details.
Risk Of Soaring Debt
Payday loans can snowball into sky-high debt if not used carefully. If you’re unsure you can repay the full amount by your next paycheque, consider other options.
Late payments come with fees. Plus, because these loans are easy to access, some borrowers end up trapped in a cycle of ongoing debt that can take a very long time to get out of.
Predatory lenders also use this space to entice you to sign a loan contract that you can’t repay. Make sure you’re financially able to cover your loan repayment when it comes due.
Should You Take Out A Payday Loan?
Payday loans are not always the ideal solution, for reasons just mentioned. But sometimes they can be helpful in specific situations, like a sudden financial emergency or job loss, after all other borrowing options have been explored. Here are a couple of scenarios where a payday loan may be worth considering:
You’re Struggling With Poor Credit | If traditional lenders have turned you down, payday loans might offer a short-term solution. For these types of loans, approval doesn’t depend on your credit score, but just a steady income, a valid address, and an active bank account. |
You’re In Urgent Need Of Cash | If you need money fast, payday lenders can often process your loan application and provide you with funding within hours. Even online applications can offer same-day deposits, depending on the time you apply. |
Other Options For Quick Cash
With limited payday loan options PEI, you may want to consider other options for quick cash. Here are a few alternative options you can consider:
Credit Card Cash Advances
If you’re a credit card holder, you may be able to use it to withdraw cash through a credit card cash advance. In this case, you’re borrowing money against your credit card limit and will pay interest on the amount withdrawn, much like you would on your outstanding balance.
Get Up To $500 With Bree
For a small monthly subscription fee with Bree, you’ll have access to up to $500, with zero interest. This is a great option for those who want to avoid penalty fees associated with going into overdraft with their bank.
No credit check is required and advances won’t have any impact on your credit.
Get Up To $250 With Nyble
Similar to Bree, you can gain access to a small line of credit of up to $250 with zero interest. No credit check is required and funds can be deposited into your account within 3 days. Nyble is a good option for access to quick cash and building credit as Nyble reports your payments to the credit bureaus.
Personal Loans
You can borrow anywhere from $500 to $50,000 on a personal loan and pay the funds back over a set term via installment payments. Depending on your credit and finances, rates can be as high as 49.96% APR. However, you’ll likely pay more on a payday loan, so a personal loan can be a cheaper and easier option.
Alternatives To Payday Loans In PEI
Considering how expensive payday loans are and how difficult they can be to repay in such a short time, it may be worth it to look into alternative options available. Plus, there are few options in PEI when it comes to licensed lenders, which is another reason why you might to see what else is out there.
Government Assistance Programs
There are financial assistance programs available to PEI residents on both a federal and provincial level.
Employment Insurance (EI) | Learn More |
Old Age Security (OAS) | Learn More |
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | Learn More |
Compassionate Care Benefits | Learn More |
Social Assistance Program | Learn More |
Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program | Learn More |
AccessAbility Supports | Learn More |
Debt Relief Programs
Payday loans are only meant to be short-term solutions. If you’re having trouble dealing with your debt, perhaps it may be wise to consider a debt relief program. The one you decide to go with will depend on several factors, such as your debt load, whether you can pay your bills, and what you can qualify for.
Here are a few debt relief programs in PEI:
- Credit counselling
- Debt consolidation
- Debt settlement
- Consumer proposal
- Bankruptcy
Bottom Line
Are you considering a payday loan in PEI? If so, make sure you’ve considered all financing options before applying. If you feel stuck in a borrowing cycle, we’re here to help you break free and access more affordable solutions. Connect with us today, explore other options tailored to your needs, and take the first step toward smarter borrowing.