Have you ever received a bill pay check and wondered if you could cash it at Walmart? With check writing on the decline, it’s a fair question many consumers have. The good news is that yes, you typically can cash a bill pay check at Walmart. However, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
What Is A Bill Pay Check?
A bill pay check is a check issued by a bill pay service on behalf of a customer to pay a bill Many banks and credit unions offer bill pay services that allow customers to pay everything from utilities and credit cards to rent and car payments by check through their bank account online or through a mobile app
When you schedule a bill payment through your bank’s online bill pay system, the bank prints a check and mails it to the payee The check comes directly from the bank, but your name and account number are printed on it This makes it look like a personal check that you wrote yourself.
Bill pay checks are guaranteed funds since they come directly from the bank. This makes them safer and more reliable for payees to accept than personal checks. The bank debits the money from your account when the check is issued so the funds are already set aside.
Why Cash A Bill Pay Check?
There are a few reasons why someone may want to cash a bill pay check rather than deposit it:
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No bank account – If you don’t have a checking account, you can’t deposit a check. Your only option is to cash it and get the money immediately.
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Need cash quickly – If you need cash right away for an emergency or other expense, cashing the check gets you immediate access to the funds It’s faster than depositing and waiting for the check to clear
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Avoid holds on funds – Some banks place temporary holds on check deposits, meaning you can’t access the full amount right away. Cashing the check gives you the entire value immediately.
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No mobile deposit – If your bank doesn’t offer mobile check deposit through its app, you have to visit a branch or ATM to deposit a paper check. Cashing it can be more convenient.
Can You Cash Bill Pay Checks at Walmart?
The good news is yes, you can cash bill pay checks at Walmart customer service desks. Walmart cashes a variety of checks, including:
- Payroll checks
- Government checks
- Tax refund checks
- Cashier’s checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- 401k/retirement account withdrawal checks
- Money orders (issued by Walmart)
To cash a check at Walmart, just visit the customer service desk with:
- Your original bill pay check
- Valid photo ID
You’ll have to sign the check and endorse it. Walmart charges a check cashing fee based on the amount:
- $4 for checks up to $1,000
- $8 for checks $1,000 to $5,000
- $10 for checks over $5,000
You can receive the cash immediately or have it loaded onto a Walmart MoneyCard prepaid debit card.
One thing to note is that Walmart generally only accepts preprinted checks, like bill pay checks from banks. They don’t cash handwritten personal checks as a rule. So bill pay checks issued by your bank should be cashable, while ones you’ve handwritten yourself may not be.
Other Check Cashing Options
If cashing your check at Walmart isn’t convenient, you may have other options too including:
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Your bank – Most banks will cash checks for their own customers. If you have the account linked to the check, your bank will likely cash it without a fee.
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Issuing bank – You may be able to cash the check at the bank from which it’s drawn, even without an account. Call ahead to check policies and fees.
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ATMs – Many ATMs have check cashing capabilities. You can deposit the check and immediately withdraw the cash.
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Retailers – Many supermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies will cash checks for a small fee. Policies vary by retailer.
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Prepaid debit cards – You can load funds at stores that offer prepaid cards and withdraw the cash at ATMs.
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Check cashing services – Standalone check cashing businesses like Check ‘n Go or ACE Cash Express are an option but usually charge the highest fees.
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Mobile apps – Apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash let you cash out checks by scanning them with your phone’s camera.
Tips For Cashing Bill Pay Checks
Follow these tips when cashing bill pay checks:
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Call ahead to verify the retailer’s check cashing policy and fees. Don’t assume all checks or amounts will be accepted.
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Bring valid ID every time you cash a check. Most places require government-issued photo ID.
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Only cash checks at reputable, licensed check cashing businesses to avoid scams. Ask to see the company’s state license.
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Endorse the back of the check by signing your name before handing it over to be cashed.
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Cash checks as soon as possible. Most are only valid for 180 days. Older checks may not be accepted.
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Keep your check cashing receipt as proof should any issues arise later.
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Be aware of daily check cashing limits at retailers. You may not be able to cash large checks.
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Understand that fees vary widely. Banks tend to charge little to no fees while check cashing services have the highest fees.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can cash a bill pay check at Walmart or at a variety of other places like your bank, grocery stores, prepaid card reload networks, and check cashing businesses. Just be sure to call ahead, bring ID, endorse the check, and pay any applicable fees. Cashing out your funds from a bill pay check is convenient but always guard your financial information and only use reputable check cashing providers.
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Does Walmart Cash Cashier’s Checks? (How To Cash Cashier Check at Walmart)
FAQ
How to cash a bill pay check?
Will Walmart cash a payee check?
How much of a payroll check will Walmart cash?
Why won’t Walmart cash a payroll check?
Can YOU Cash a check at Walmart?
Bring your check & valid ID to a Walmart store. What types of checks does Walmart cash? The types of checks you can cash at Walmart: Payroll Government checks Tax refund Cashiers’ Insurance settlement 401 (k) Plus, Western Union & MoneyGram money orders as well as two-party personal checks in some locations.
Does Walmart Cash Money orders?
No ID – Valid U.S. government-issued photo ID is required to cash checks over $50. Money orders – Walmart MoneyCenters do not cash money orders. Location – Only about 2,700 of Walmart‘s 4,700+ locations offer check cashing. So before heading to Walmart, call ahead to confirm they cash checks and bring a valid ID if cashing more than $50.
What is Walmart’s check cashing policy?
I contacted Walmart’s customer service department, reviewed its policy documentation, and contacted stores locations in Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas to find more details of its check cashing policy. Walmart typically limits checks it will cash to $5,000. During tax season (January to April), it increases the limit to $7,500.
What types of checks can you cash at Walmart?
The types of checks you can cash at Walmart: Payroll Government checks Tax refund Cashiers’ Insurance settlement 401 (k) Plus, Western Union & MoneyGram money orders as well as two-party personal checks in some locations. Visit our Customer Service Desk to learn more. What are the check-cashing limits & fees?
Does Walmart cash handwritten checks?
However, there are types of checks Walmart won’t cash such as handwritten checks. The check cashing limit is $200 for two-party checks and $5,000 for all other accepted checks. Each customer is limited to cashing three checks per day. The max fee for checks up to $1,000 is $4, and the max fee for checks exceeding this amount is $8.
When is check cashing available at Walmart?
Check cashing services are available any day the store is open; this includes Saturdays and Sundays. I contacted Walmart’s customer service department, reviewed its policy documentation, and contacted stores locations in Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas to find more details of its check cashing policy.