Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT
What is a Sorbet PTO cash advance?
Sorbet’s on-demand PTO cash advance solution allows you to access the cash value of your PTO as you accrue it. Instead of waiting until you leave the company, we advance the payout, so you can unlock more compensation without dipping into your salary. No hidden fees, no monthly cost, no waiting—just instant access to your hard-earned PTO money right when you need it.
How does this work? (On-demand PTO cash advance)
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Decide how much of your unused PTO you’d like to advance. Keep in mind that although not reflected on your payroll system at work, these days will be deducted from your accrued PTO balance
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Apply for Sorbet’s on-demand PTO cash advance. Fill out and submit an application in less than 60 seconds and get approved within 1-5 business days! Fill out an application
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Spend your cash anytime, anywhere with your prepaid Sorbet Visa card. Once approved, your cash advance will be loaded onto a Sorbet Visa card to spend on anything. Add it to your Apple or Google Wallet for easy access
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Pay us back when you leave your company and receive your PTO payout. When you leave your company, they will pay you for all of the PTO days you didn’t use—including the ones you advanced. Use that money to pay us back, stress-free!
How do I know how much my PTO is worth?
The value of your PTO (paid time off) will depend on a variety of factors, including the terms of your employment contract or employee handbook, as well as any relevant state or federal laws. But generally, employees are paid out for any unused PTO when they leave the company. The value of the PTO is based on the employee's pay rate and the number of hours or days that have been accrued.
If you're unclear about how much your PTO is worth, you can find out in just a few clicks using our FREE calculator.
You might have more money saved up than you think!
Am I eligible for a Sorbet PTO cash advance?
To unlock the cash value of your unused PTO with Sorbet you must be of legal age (18+), a legal resident of the United States with a W2-paying job, and have a sufficient number of PTO days accrued within a policy that allows carry over and includes a PTO payout at termination.
What information is required to submit the application?
Ready to apply for a PTO cash advance with Sorbet? All you have to do is give us some basic information like your name, Social Security number, email, and phone number. Just think of it like filling out a fun survey! And don't worry, we promise to keep all your information safe and sound. We take security very seriously at Sorbet, so you can trust us to keep your information completely private and confidential. Best part? We won't even peep at your credit score, so you can relax and let us handle the rest.
APPROVAL PROCESS
What is the turnaround time from submitting the application to getting approved?
The process of reviewing your application is similar to creating the perfect Sorbet recipe. We need a specific period of time to carefully examine your application, and make sure we have all the right ingredients. It usually takes up to 5 working days, not including weekends or holidays..(weekends and holidays are like "break time" for us—remember, we’re in the PTO business!)
But don't you worry, we won't leave you hanging out to dry. We'll send you email updates each step of the way. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us at support@getsorbet.com with any additional questions.
Why was I not approved?
We’re sorry your advance hasn’t been approved. Good news is that you may be eligible in the future! Here are some potential reasons why your advance hasn’t been approved this time:
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You may not be of legal age (18+) to apply for a PTO advance.
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You’re not registered as a US citizen or permanent U.S. resident with a W2-paying job.
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You don’t have enough accrued PTO days to apply for an advance with Sorbet.
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Your company’s PTO policy doesn’t let employees carry over their unused PTO from one period to the next.
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Your employer doesn’t pay out accrued, unused PTO at termination.
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If you’ve missed payments, pay them late regularly or are still repaying an existing PTO advance to Sorbet.
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You’ve applied for an PTO advance within the last 90 days and have not been approved.
I applied for an advance but got less money than what I applied for - why?
We’re here to help you convert your hard-earned PTO into cash, however it’s important that you don’t advance more than you are able to repay. Remember that taking time off is crucial for your wellbeing, so be sure to take some of your PTO days for a much-needed vacation. You’ve earned it!
Our team carefully reviews each application and takes into consideration a variety of factors such as current PTO balance, employment situation, and verifications. Based on all these factors, you may be offered less than you’ve requested.
If you have any doubts or would like a more specific reason for the amount offered, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at support@getsorbet.com
We're here to help and make sure you get the best out of your PTO days.
I was approved - how quickly are the funds made available?
Sweet! You're all set to access the cash value of your hard-earned PTO days!
There's just one more step before the funds are transferred to you, and that's reviewing and signing our agreement. Don't worry though, it's short and easy to understand.
Once the agreement is digitally signed, you'll receive your funds promptly. If you selected the Instant option, the funds will be transferred within one business day, otherwise, it may take up to 5 business days. You'll receive an email from us as soon as the funds are available, so keep an eye out for something sweet in your inbox! Remember, weekends are not included in this timeframe ⏱
The email will include a link to your personal Sorbet account and you can log in using your email address. The funds have already been loaded onto a prepaid Sorbet Visa card, for you to spend anytime, anywhere!
You can also:
View your card details
See your transaction history
Add your card to Apple or Google Wallet
USING YOUR CARD
Once the funds are available - can I spend it immediately? Do I have to activate the card?
Yes, When we say instant, we mean it!
Once you log in to your Sorbet account, you’ll find your shiny, new Sorbet card loaded with your funds and ready to go. No card activation required. Happy spending!
Once the funds are spent - how do I know if I’m eligible for another deposit?
If you’ve repaid your advance in full to Sorbet and still have unused PTO available, you can apply for a new advance. Fill out and submit an application in less than 60 seconds and get approved within 1-5 business days! Fill out an application
If you haven’t paid us back yet, as soon as you do, you could be just 1 business day away from your next advance.
Are there any restrictions on where I can spend the money?
No, you can spend your hard-earned cash however you’d like. From filling up your gas to getting that business class upgrade you’ve always wanted, use your Sorbet card anytime, anywhere Visa is accepted.
To make online purchases, you’ll need your Sorbet card number. To find it just click “Card Details” in your Sorbet app. You can also add your card to your digital wallet by signing into your account.
PAYBACK PROCESS
How do I repay my PTO advance?
Simple. We pay you now and you pay us back when you ultimately leave the company or in 3 years, whichever comes first.
When the time comes, you either pay us exactly what your employer paid you in unused PTO payouts or, AT MOST, the equivalent of 1¢ per month for every $1 you advanced—the lower of the two. Pretty sweet!
Still confused? No worries, we’re here to help.
Say for example that you advance $100 today. AT MOST, you will ultimately pay us back $100 + a $36 premium.
SECURITY
How does Sorbet keep my data safe?
Keeping your data safe and secure is a top priority. We’re SOC 2 Type 2 compliance certified which means we have the highest level of information security and client data protection. All personal information and sensitive data is stored and tokenized through VGS vault (secure storage system), so we really do keep your data under lock and key 🔐! Plus, logging in to your Sorbet account requires two-factor authentication. After you submit your correct email address and login password, we’ll ask you to provide some additional information to make sure it’s really you!
The Sorbet platform is hosted on AWS infrastructure which complies with leading security policies and frameworks, including SSAE 16, SOC framework, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
Will Sorbet get in touch with my employer if I submit an application?
No! Your application for a PTO advance is between you and us ♥️. We never contact your employer or share any of your personal information with anyone.
Because your HR aren’t invited to this PTO party, it’s important to keep in mind that although not reflected on your payroll system at work, you should not take days off that you have already advanced. Instead, keep them in your balance so that you can use their cash value to pay us back. When you leave your company, your employer will pay you for all of the PTO days you didn’t use—including the ones you advanced. Use that money to pay us back, stress-free!