Working capital for payroll
If payroll is due and cash is tight, it can feel urgent fast.
There may be options to cover wages — but the safest path is making sure your numbers and story line up first.
To keep this useful, we’ll stay focused on covering wages during a short-term squeeze (not every type of working capital).
When payroll becomes a cash-flow problem
This usually happens when timing is the issue, such as:
Customers pay after wages are due
A quiet week hits after a busy run
A one-off bill lands at the wrong time
Work is coming in, but cash is lagging
What matters most in payroll scenarios
For payroll-related requests, lenders usually want to see:
Income still coming in (even if uneven week to week)
Wages make sense for the business size and activity
Outgoings are mostly controlled, not spiralling
Any recent red flags (dishonours, arrears, sudden drops) have a clear, short explanation
The request is short-term and practical (cover wages, not a long-term restructure)
What you’ll usually need ready
For business loans, it’s normal to need at least 6 months of business bank statements.
It also helps to have:
The payroll amount you need to cover (rough is okay)
A one-sentence purpose (e.g., “cover wages for two pay runs while invoices catch up”)
Any one-off events in statements and the short reason
What changes next (e.g., a job finishing, a big invoice due, a quiet patch ending)
When payroll funding may not be the right move
Sometimes the safest move is to slow down and clean up the picture first.
Extra care may be needed if:
The business is regularly negative with no recovery weeks
There are repeated dishonours with no clear cause
Payroll is being used to cover multiple bigger problems at once
The purpose is really long-term funding, not short timing pressure
If any of that feels close, it doesn’t mean “no”. It means the next step should be more careful so you don’t waste an application.
The safest next step
If wages are due, the safest next step is a quick eligibility check so you know what’s realistic before wages are due.
If you’d like the broader category overview, you can also read working capital business loans.
A quick note on how CASEY handles this
You stay in control. We review the basics first, then confirm what’s needed.
Nothing proceeds without your consent.
FAQs
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It can be, depending on the full picture. The key is that payroll needs to look normal for the business and the cash gap needs to be explainable.
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Not always. One-off events can be okay if the story matches the statements and income remains consistent overall.
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That’s common, but it can change the risk. The safest approach is to keep the purpose clear and confirm what’s realistic before proceeding.