The increased use of ACH deposits means cashing paper checks isn’t as common as it used to be. But whether it’s a payment from your insurance company or tax refund, you’ll still need to cash a check every once in a while.
If you bank online and need access to cash or live in an area where your bank isn’t nearby, what are your options for cashing your check?
Walmart is here to help you out with their check cashing service, and here’s what you need to know before you go.
What types of checks can you cash at Walmart?
Walmart requires that your checks be pre-printed. This means you won’t be able to cash the birthday check from your grandma, unfortunately, but you can still cash many other types of checks. And if you can convince grandma to send you your birthday money via a money order or cashier’s check, Walmart will be happy to cash it for you.
According to its website, Walmart cashes these types of checks:
- Pre-Printed checks
- Payroll checks
- Government checks
- Tax checks
- Cashiers’ checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- 401(k), retirement disbursement checks
- MoneyGram money orders
- Two-Party personal checks (limit of $200)
They usually won’t cash checks that are over $5,000. Between January and April, though, they increase their limit and cash checks up to $7,500.
How much does it cost?
If your check is less than $1,000, it will cost $4.00 to cash it at Walmart. For amounts from $1,001 to $5,000, they charge a fee of $8.00, and two-party checks may be subject to a fee of up to $6.00. You’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the cost, but when you’re short on time, it may well be worth the small fee if you’re going to be at Walmart anyway.
What to bring and where to go
To cash a check at Walmart, you’ll need the check itself, of course. You’ll also need a form of state-issued identification. Make sure you endorse your check correctly to help the process go smoothly.
You can cash your check either at the Customer Service Desk or in the check-out line. If you’re unsure whether your check qualifies to be cashed at Walmart, you can always check at the customer service desk before going through the check-out line.
Alternatives for check cashing
If you don’t want to be stuck carrying a big wad of cash, Walmart will also load your money onto a Walmart MoneyCard if you’d like. You’ll still pay the same fee to cash your check, but Walmart will waive the typical fee for recharging the card.
You don’t just have to use your MoneyCard at Walmart, either. You can use it nearly anywhere cards are accepted. You can also earn 3% cashback for Walmart purchases, add money to the card from another bank account, and even have your IRS refund checks deposited directly into your card.
Pros of cashing your check at Walmart
Cashing your check at Walmart is convenient if you go to Walmart. It saves you a stop while you’re running errands, and if you cash your check in the check-out line it will only take a few extra minutes. And, thanks to being able to cash your check while you check out, it should go fairly quickly. If you use their MoneyCard as your banking account, you can also earn money back on your purchases from Walmart, a big bonus if you do a lot of shopping there anyway.
Cons of cashing your check at Walmart
Most of us aren’t interested in carrying around a big wad of cash. Almost everything can be bought with a credit or debit card. You can’t use cash to make a purchase online, and so its uses are limited. Another reason you might think twice about cashing your check at Walmart is due to the fee. If all you want to do is deposit your money into an account, most banks will allow you to do that for free by using their app.
You’ll have to decide if cashing a check at Walmart is best for you. Depending on your personal needs and habits, cashing your check at Walmart might be a great choice. It could save you time and, depending on how far away your bank is, it could save you money too. If you bank somewhere else that offers easy online check depositing, you will save money and time using your own bank.