It’s a situation many can relate to: bills are piling up, there are groceries and gas to buy and payday isn’t until next week. When you’re in a financial bind and just need to stretch that paycheck a bit further, emergency loans can be a viable, safe option to help you stay on top of the expenses that have to be paid.

Emergency loans provide quick cash to those in need of a few extra dollars. These loans are intended to be short-term loans that are usually paid back once the borrower has received his or her paycheck, and there is typically a small fee associated with the loan. Anyone who’s employed, has no outstanding payday loans, has a checking account and is over the age of 18 can take advantage of this option. The amount of funds available varies on a case-by-case basis.

Some shy away from obtaining a payday loan for various reasons, but they shouldn’t immediately discount the idea. There are safe options for emergency loans; people should look for a company that offers a secure website that will not allow others to access their information. Loan seekers also shouldn’t worry about anyone being notified that they are applying for an emergency loan — there are organizations that will assure that all loan applications are kept confidential.

Loan seekers don’t necessarily have to worry about their credit history, because even those with a poor credit rating can take advantage of emergency loans. As long as they’re eligible for a loan, their credit history will not be taken into account as they seek the emergency loan.

It’s possible for borrowers to receive the money within a few hours of applying or by the next business day, as long as the information they provide on their applications is accurate. Even better, many lenders will deposit the money directly into the borrower’s checking account.