⏱️ Quick Summary
Setting up Brigit takes about 10-15 minutes. You'll need: a smartphone, a bank account with 60+ days of history, regular direct deposits, and basic ID information. Once set up, you can receive cash advances from $50-$500 with Express Delivery in approximately 20 minutes.
⚠️ Disclosure
We are NOT affiliated with Brigit Inc. Some links are affiliate links. Full disclosure →
Requirements Before You Start
Before downloading Brigit, make sure you have everything needed to qualify:
✅ Eligibility Checklist
- You are 18+ years old
- You have a US bank account
- Your bank account has 60+ days of transaction history
- You receive regular direct deposits (paychecks, benefits, etc.)
- Your bank account maintains a positive balance most days
- You have a valid US phone number
- You have a valid email address
- You have the last 4 digits of your SSN
⚠️ Important Requirements
Regular Income: Brigit needs to see consistent direct deposits. If you're paid irregularly (gig work, freelance), your limits may be lower or you may not qualify initially.
Bank History: New bank accounts (under 60 days) typically don't qualify. Use your established primary checking account.
Download the Brigit App
Brigit is available on both iOS and Android devices:
- iPhone/iPad: Download from the Apple App Store (iOS 13.0 or later)
- Android: Download from Google Play Store (Android 6.0 or later)
The app is free to download. You'll choose a subscription plan later.
Create Your Account
Open the app and tap "Get Started" to begin the signup process:
Information You'll Need to Provide:
- Email address: Use an email you check regularly—Brigit sends important notifications here
- Phone number: You'll receive a verification code via SMS
- Full legal name: Must match your bank account exactly
- Date of birth: Must be 18+
- Last 4 digits of SSN: Used for identity verification only (no credit check)
- Home address: Must be a US address
💡 Pro Tip
Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your bank account. Mismatched names can cause verification issues and delays.
After entering your information, you'll receive a 6-digit verification code via SMS. Enter this code to verify your phone number.
Connect Your Bank Account
This is the most important step. Brigit uses Plaid—a secure banking connection service used by Venmo, Coinbase, and thousands of other financial apps—to connect to your bank.
How to Connect:
- Tap "Connect Bank Account"
- Search for your bank name
- Enter your online banking username and password
- Complete any two-factor authentication your bank requires
- Select your primary checking account
Supported Banks Include:
- Major banks: Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, PNC, TD Bank, Capital One
- Online banks: Chime, Current, Varo, Ally, Discover
- Credit unions: Most major credit unions are supported
- Regional banks: Most regional and community banks
⚠️ Connection Issues?
If your bank doesn't appear or won't connect, try these solutions:
- Make sure you're using your online banking credentials (not ATM PIN)
- Check if your bank's website is experiencing issues
- Try connecting during non-peak hours
- Update your bank's app and try again
See our bank connection troubleshooting guide for more solutions.
Get Your Brigit Score & Advance Limit
After connecting your bank, Brigit analyzes your account to determine your "Brigit Score" and advance limit. This typically takes 1-5 minutes.
What Brigit Analyzes:
- Income patterns: Frequency and consistency of direct deposits
- Average balance: Your typical account balance throughout the month
- Spending patterns: Regular expenses and bill payments
- Account age: How long the account has been open
- Overdraft history: Frequency of negative balances
| Factor | Impact on Limit | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Regular direct deposits | High | Maintain consistent paycheck deposits |
| Average balance | High | Keep balance positive; avoid overdrafts |
| Account age | Medium | Use the same account over time |
| Income amount | Medium | Higher income = higher potential limit |
| Repayment history | High (after first advance) | Always have funds available on payday |
📊 Typical Starting Limits
Most new users start with limits of $50-$150, regardless of subscription plan. Limits increase over time as Brigit learns your financial patterns. Don't be discouraged by a low initial limit—it's normal!
Choose Your Subscription Plan
Brigit offers three subscription tiers. Here's what each includes:
| Plan | Price | Max Advance | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | $50 | Standard delivery only (2-3 days), balance alerts |
| Plus ⭐ | $8.99/month | $250 | Express delivery (~20 min), identity protection, spending insights |
| Premium | $14.99/month | $500 | Everything in Plus + Credit Builder + credit monitoring |
💡 Our Recommendation
Start with Free to test the app. If you find yourself needing faster delivery or higher limits, upgrade to Plus ($8.99). Only upgrade to Premium ($14.99) if you specifically want the Credit Builder feature.
You can change your plan at any time from the app settings. Brigit often offers free trials of paid plans for new users.
Request Your First Cash Advance
Once your account is set up and you have a limit, requesting an advance is simple:
- Open the Brigit app
- Tap "Get Cash" or "Instant Cash" on the home screen
- Use the slider to select how much you want (up to your limit)
- Choose delivery speed:
- Express: ~20 min - 4 hours (paid plans only)
- Standard: 2-3 business days
- Confirm your request
⚠️ Before Your First Advance
Make sure you understand the repayment terms: Brigit will automatically deduct the advance amount from your bank account on your next detected payday. Ensure you'll have sufficient funds available.
Receive Funds & Automatic Repayment
Receiving Your Advance:
- Express Delivery: Funds arrive via ACH transfer in approximately 20 minutes to 4 hours. Actual time depends on your bank.
- Standard Delivery: Funds arrive in 2-3 business days (not available on weekends/holidays).
You'll receive a notification when the funds are sent and another when they arrive in your account.
How Repayment Works:
- Brigit detects your next payday based on your deposit history
- On that date, Brigit automatically debits the advance amount from your account
- There are NO late fees if the debit fails—Brigit will try again on your next payday
- You cannot manually choose a different repayment date
💡 Repayment Tips
- Make sure your account has sufficient funds on payday
- If you know you'll be short, contact Brigit support before payday
- Repeatedly failed repayments may lower your future limit
Tips to Maximize Your Brigit Limit
Want to increase your advance limit? Here are proven strategies:
| Strategy | Why It Works | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain positive balance | Shows financial stability | 2-4 weeks |
| Keep consistent direct deposits | Proves reliable income | 1-2 pay cycles |
| Repay advances on time | Builds trust with Brigit | After 2-3 advances |
| Avoid overdrafts | Shows responsible management | Ongoing |
| Upgrade to paid plan | Unlocks higher maximums | Immediate |
For more detailed strategies, see our guide: How to Improve Your Brigit Score.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Low or No Advance Limit
Causes: New bank account, irregular income, low average balance, recent overdrafts.
Solutions: Wait 2-4 weeks while maintaining a positive balance, ensure regular direct deposits continue, avoid overdrafts.
Problem: Bank Won't Connect
Causes: Incorrect login credentials, bank security blocks, outdated app, unsupported bank.
Solutions: Verify credentials on bank's website first, check for two-factor authentication, update Brigit app, try during off-peak hours.
See our full guide: Brigit Can't Connect to Bank
Problem: Advance Request Denied
Causes: Outstanding advance not repaid, account balance too low, income pattern changed.
Solutions: Repay existing advance first, check account balance, wait for next paycheck deposit.
See our full guide: Why Brigit Denied My Advance
Problem: Express Delivery Taking Too Long
Causes: Bank processing delays, requested outside business hours, bank doesn't support instant transfers.
Solutions: Check bank's support for instant ACH, request during business hours (weekdays), contact Brigit support if over 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up Brigit?
Most users complete setup in 10-15 minutes. The longest part is waiting for Brigit to analyze your bank account, which typically takes 1-5 minutes.
Can I use Brigit without a bank account?
No. Brigit requires a linked bank account with at least 60 days of history and regular direct deposits. Prepaid cards and some newer online banks may not be supported.
Does Brigit check my credit score?
No. Brigit does not perform any credit check when you sign up or request advances. Your credit score is not affected by using Brigit (unless you use Credit Builder, which positively reports to credit bureaus).
What if I can't repay my advance?
Brigit has no late fees. If the automatic repayment fails, Brigit will attempt to collect on your next detected payday. However, repeated failures may lower your future advance limits.
Can I get an advance immediately after signing up?
Possibly. If Brigit can quickly verify your income and account history, you may qualify for an advance within minutes of signing up. However, some accounts may need additional verification time.
Ready to Get Started?
Now you know exactly how to use Brigit from start to finish. Remember:
- Start with the free tier to test the app
- Connect your primary checking account with regular deposits
- Be patient with initial limits—they increase over time
- Always ensure funds are available for automatic repayment