Earned Wage Access is an Evolution of Pay for American Workers

As we mark Labor Day with parades and barbeques, it’s important to remember that the annual celebration “originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters,” according to the History Channel.  

​In the late 1800s, activists worked to change the conditions under which Americans worked. While we’ve come a long way since the 12-hour days and 7-day weeks that Americans worked to “eke out a basic living,” businesses still control when employees are paid – something Earned Wage Access is working to change.  
 
EWA gives workers the opportunity to access wages earned but unpaid. However, critics continue to say that EWA is not a financial tool that can empower workers to make financial decisions that are best for their families. 
 
To counter this idea, IPA has launched EarnedWageAccess.info because we know that when workers can access their pay when they need, they can better manage their financial health. 
 
Unfortunately, according to a 2023 Financial Health Network (FHN) report, “more than four out of five (84%) Americans were not financially healthy at some point between 2018 and 2022.” This shows that workers need more help, not less, and many EWA providers integrate financial literacy resources to help workers live within their means. 
 
Additionally, EWA can help smooth out income flows as demonstrated by FHN, which found that 37% of low-wage workers say they “worry about running out of food before getting money to buy more.”