Testimonials
The following quotes are drawn from surveys collected by NYS Community Equity Agenda from January 2025 through May 2025. Each of the quoted New Yorkers uses (or once used) EWA apps. Please take the survey to share your story. Name, contact information and other identifying details will be excluded on all public-facing materials.
“I was forced to take out an EWA payday loan which required a $10 fee for a $100 advance.”
—A college student from Queens
“They’re predatory. They prey on you when you need money really bad.”
—A mom from Brooklyn
“It’s a debt trap but I, and many people like me, have no other way to pay for college and rent….What are the systemic solutions?”
—A college student in Brooklyn
“It’s a dangerous cycle to keep you in debt. You can never get ahead on these apps.”
—A case manager in the Bronx
“It’s so easy to get trapped in the cycle of borrowing from the next paycheck.”
—A social media manager for a nonprofit
“[I’ve used] all of them…It quickly becomes a death spiral…an impossible cycle to get out of. It’s embarrassing. Hopeful to find other ways to boost income but in the meantime 😵💫😵💫.”
—A New Yorker