APPLY ONLINE

You could get a loan for up to $1,500

Emerald Advance® Loan is a fixed-rate loan ranging from $350 to $1,500. No monthly payments required, just repay by March 31, 2026.

Apply now through Dec. 31

By Pathward®, N.A. Terms apply.

How it works

Step 1

Use your provided code to apply online

You may need to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID and proof of income by connecting securely to your bank or payroll provider.

Step 2

Choose how to get your funds & track your loan

If approved, you can choose to deposit the funds onto an Emerald Card or into a Spruce account, then use MyBlock to monitor your loan.

Step 3

Breathe a sigh of relief

Stress a little less knowing this loan could help you pay off bills or ease some of the financial burden of the holidays.

Emerald Advance® Loan repayment

Repayment details

35.9% Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

Repay your loan on or before March 31, 2026

No minimum monthly payments required

What to know when choosing a loan amount:

For every $50 you borrow, you’ll accrue approximately $1.48 in interest every 30 days.

How to repay the loan

  • Online:

  • By phone:

  • With your tax refund:

  • By mail:

Applying Online for an Emerald Advance Loan

You can apply online if you received an invitation code. To apply online, click on the secure link in the email, log in to MyBlock, or enter your unique invitation code.

  • Your personal invitation code
  • Proof of income within the last 31 days
  • Connect securely to your bank or payroll provider to verify income
  • Valid, government-issued photo ID

You may call 1-855-897-8639
Monday – Sunday
7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. CT

Proof of income is required to ensure you have the ability to repay your loan. You will be asked to verify your income by connecting to your bank or payroll provider.

You may visit a participating H&R Block office to continue your application.

You may contact 1-866-852-9250, available 7am to 10pm CT, where an agent may be available to assist you.

More Emerald Advance Loan FAQs

Emerald Advance® Loan FAQs

Emerald Advance® Loan is a fixed-rate short term loan ranging from $350 to $1,500 that must be repaid in full on or before March 31, 2026.

Interest: The Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”) is 35.90%.


Late fee: If the loan is not paid in full within 14 days of its due date of March 31, 2026, the account will be charged a $30 late fee and additional interest.




Other fees: Additional fees may apply to the use of your Emerald Card® or Spruce account, as outlined in the respective Account Agreements.

You can use your Emerald Advance Loan funds however you like, whether that be for emergency expenses, shopping, medical bills, or other expenses.

Qualifying for an Emerald Advance® Loan

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age (19 if a resident of Alabama or Nebraska)
  • Have a physical address
  • Provide a valid, government-issued photo ID
  • Have an active e-mail address and access to a mobile device to setup your MyBlock account
  • Provide income verification, if requested, by connecting virtually to your bank or payroll provider

No, you are not required to file your taxes with H&R Block to be approved for a loan.

To apply, make an appointment at a participating H&R Block location during the offer period. You will meet with an H&R Block associate who will guide you through the application process.

You are welcome to walk into a participating office, but you may experience a long wait time. Starting Oct. 20, 2025, you can schedule an appointment time that’s convenient for you during the Nov. 3-Dec. 31 application window.

To apply, you’ll need to bring your valid government-issued photo ID and a copy of your most recent pay statement or other proof of current income dated within the past 31 days.

No, a valid Social Security Number is required to apply.

Loan amount and approval are based on assessment of your creditworthiness. Both credit and non-credit information, such as credit history and ability to repay, are considered in the loan decision. Pathward, N.A., the lender, makes all loan decisions.

No, though you can apply for an Emerald Advance Loan at an H&R Block retail office, H&R Block is not the lender. The Emerald Advance Loan is originated by Pathward®, N.A., who is the lender.

Income verification is a component of loan underwriting and helps the lender determine that the loan amount you request is affordable and that you have the ability to repay.

No. Emerald Advance® Loans are individual loans and co-borrowers are not allowed.

There is no impact to your credit to apply for the loan.

You can request and review your free report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

No, collateral is not required. The Emerald Advance® Loan is an unsecured loan.

Of course! If you receive a pre-qualified offer, you will be able to review important loan details, such as the APR, pre-qualified amount, and estimated loan payment, before you finalize your application.

If you submit a complete application and are approved, you will have the opportunity to select how you would like to receive your loan funds.

 

We can:

  • Load funds onto an existing Emerald Card
  • Deposit funds into your new or existing Spruce Spending Account

Repaying your Emerald Advance® Loan

Yes. Minimum monthly payments are not required. However, if you would like to make one or more payments early, there are no pre-payment penalties for doing so, even if you pay the loan off in full before the due date. In fact, that’s a great way to save yourself some interest!

Payments will be first applied to any accrued and unpaid interest, then the remaining amount will be applied towards the principal balance. If you do not pay the loan off by the due date and owe a late fee, your payment will first be applied to satisfy the late fee then the past due amount owed.

The loan is due in full on March 31, 2026, but there is a 14-day grace period. If we do not receive your loan payment in full within 14 days of the due date, we will charge you a $30 late fee.


If you make a payment online, we will consider the payment effective as of the day you authorize the payment, even if it doesn’t process until the next business day. Please note, this process does not apply if the authorized payment account has insufficient funds to make the payment in full.

To make a payment, you can:

  • Pay online using any debit card by logging into MyBlock.com and accessing your Emerald Advance® Loan account under the ‘Finances’ tab.
  • Pay with any debit card by calling: 1-800-472-5625.
  • Make a check or money order payable to Pathward and mail it to:

    C/O Emerald Financial Services
    PO BOX 4521
    Carol Stream, IL 60197-4521

    Be sure to include your name and loan number on the check/money order. Your loan number can be found in MyBlock.

  • If you complete your taxes with H&R Block and receive a refund, you can choose to repay your loan from your tax refund proceeds.

H&R Block Emerald Advance® Loan originated by Pathward®, N.A. Subject to eligibility and credit approval. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 35.9%. Loan amounts vary from $350-$1500. If approved, loan proceeds will be disbursed as directed to prepaid card or checking account at Pathward. Additional terms and conditions apply, see account agreements for details. Offered for a limited time at participating locations.

* H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard® is issued by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Additional fees, terms and conditions apply; consult your Cardholder Agreement for details. ©2025 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

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