Can I Cash A Bill Pay Check At Walmart?

Cashing checks at Walmart can be a convenient way to get quick access to funds without having to go to a bank But what types of checks can you cash there? Can you cash a bill pay check from your bank or utility company at Walmart? Let’s take a look at the details

What Is A Bill Pay Check?

A bill pay check is a check issued by a company or bank’s bill pay service to pay a bill or invoice on your behalf For example, many banks offer bill pay services that let you schedule payments to companies or individuals. You provide the payee details, the bank prints and mails a check in the amount you specify

You might also be able to pay your phone, cable, or electricity bill by having the company mail you a check instead of you paying online or sending it yourself. These checks are drawn on the biller’s bank account.

So in essence, a bill pay check is still a regular check, just issued automatically through a bill payment service

Walmart’s Check Cashing Policy

Walmart cashes a variety of check types, though there are some restrictions:

• Limits: Walmart caps check cashing at $5,000 ($7,500 during tax season).

• Fees: Checks up to $1,000 cost $4, and checks from $1,000 to $5,000 cost $8.

• ID required: You must show valid photo ID.

• Verification: Checks are run through TeleCheck or Certegy for approval.

• Accepted checks: Payroll, tax refund, government, cashier’s, retirement account, insurance settlement, 401(k) distribution checks.

• Not accepted: Handwritten checks, money orders (except Western Union and MoneyGram), checks over 180 days old, or made out to someone else.

Notably absent from the “accepted” list are bill pay checks. But there’s still a chance you may be able to cash them at Walmart.

Can You Cash Bill Pay Checks at Walmart?

The short answer is sometimes. While Walmart doesn’t specifically list bill pay checks under accepted check types, they don’t explicitly prohibit them either.

According to Walmart customer service, bill pay checks run through the same electronic verification system as other checks. So whether Walmart cashes them comes down to a case-by-case basis depending on:

• The check details – Is it a printed check (not handwritten)? Does it have security features? No alterations? Within the 180-day limit?

• Your ID – Do you have valid photo ID in your name matching the check payee?

• Verification results – Does the check clear TeleCheck/Certegy’s databases without flags for potential fraud or insufficient funds?

Essentially, if the bill pay check looks legitimate and passes verification, Walmart may cash it. But there’s no guarantee, since the final decision depends on the specific store and staff.

Some other key things to note if trying to cash bill pay checks at Walmart:

• Call ahead – Before going to the store, call customer service and ask if they cash bill pay checks from your specific biller. This can confirm policies and prevent wasted trips.

• Bring backup ID/docs – In addition to your photo ID, have documents showing the source of the check (printed bill, account statement, etc.) in case further verification is needed.

• Start small – When first cashing a bill pay check there, keep amounts under $1,000 until you establish a history cashing them.

• Weekdays are better – Weekday staff may follow policies more closely than weekends. Avoid Mondays/Fridays when stores are busiest.

• Try another retailer – If Walmart won’t cash your bill pay check, many grocers and discount stores will. Check their policies too.

• Deposit into an account – Opening a free checking account provides a reliable way to cash bills pay checks by depositing them instead.

Troubleshooting Rejected Bill Pay Checks

If Walmart rejects your bill pay check, here are some steps to take:

• Call TeleCheck/Certegy – Ask for details on why the check was declined and what you can do to resolve any issues.

• Contact the biller – Verify with them the check was legitimately issued and no stop payments were placed.

• Visit your bank – Your bank may cash checks drawn on their accounts more readily, though non-customers often still can.

• Cash at the biller’s bank – Similarly, checks from an account there makes acceptance more likely.

• Split the payment – Try cashing smaller portions at different locations/times if the full amount is getting flagged.

• Hold the check – Letting older checks season for a couple weeks can sometimes help improve verification odds.

• Switch billers – If one company’s checks get consistently rejected, pay your bill through another provider.

• Open an account – Depositing into your own bank account bypasses verification, ensuring you can cash bill pay checks.

Alternatives to Cashing Bill Pay Checks at Walmart

If cashing bill pay checks at Walmart doesn’t work for you, here are some other convenient options:

• Grocery stores – Many accept various checks. Ask customer service about their policies.

• Check cashing stores – They specialize in cashing checks and typically have higher limits than retailers.

• Your bank – Deposit into an account there and then withdraw cash. Useful if you have an account.

• The check issuer’s bank – Banks readily cash their own checks, even for non-customers.

• ATMs – Insert checks for cash at ATMs of the issuing bank. Useful in a pinch if you can’t get to a branch.

• Prepaid debit cards – Some will let you load checks to the card to access funds.

• Third-party apps – Apps like Ingo Money or Activehours cash checks via a smartphone for a fee.

• Open a checking account – Allows you to cash any check through deposits. Many have no minimum balance and low or no monthly fees.

The Bottom Line

Walmart may cash bill pay checks, but it depends on the specific check, verification policies, and staff at the time. Your safest options are to open a free checking account to reliably deposit bill pay checks or visit the check issuer’s bank where acceptance likelihood is highest. But with proper ID and documentation, cashing bill pay checks at Walmart is certainly possible, just not guaranteed. Be prepared with backup cashing options in case they reject your bill pay check.