Questions we actually get

Direct deposit

How do I get my pay sent to Canteen?

Your account and routing numbers are on your home screen. Put those two into myPay, or hand them to your finance office on an SF 1199A if you are somewhere myPay is not practical. Those two numbers are the only ones you need: not your card number, and not any other account.

How long does it take?

A change made in myPay usually lands within about two weeks. A paper form routed through your finance office can take up to about six. If nothing has arrived by then, something probably did not go through, and the app will say so rather than leaving you to wonder.

Nothing arrived. What now?

Check the change actually saved in myPay, or that your recruiter filed the form. This is the most common cause by a distance. If it saved and pay still has not moved, email us and we will help you chase it.

Do I have to move my whole paycheck?

No. myPay lets you split your pay across accounts, so you can send part of it here while you get comfortable.

Daily Pay

What is it?

Pay you have already earned, available before payday. No fee, no interest, and it is not a loan. What you draw settles against your next deposit.

What does it cost?

Nothing. There is no fee, no tip, no subscription and no interest. If that ever changes you will be told before it does, not after.

What if my pay is late?

We work it out with you. You will not be charged a fee for a DFAS timing problem you did not cause.

Your account

Why do you need my Social Security number?

Federal law requires a bank to verify the identity of anyone opening an account. It goes to our bank partner and is not stored on your phone, which is why your profile shows it as “On file”. See the privacy page.

Do I need to photograph my ID?

No. Our bank partner does not require a document scan for this account, so we do not ask for one and the app does not request camera access.

What happens to my money?

Deposits are held by our bank partner, a chartered financial institution, and their account agreement governs the account itself. The full details will be published here before Canteen opens to the public.

Can I use Canteen if I have separated?

Yes. Veterans, retirees and military families are welcome. Some features depend on being paid by DFAS, and the SCRA interest cap only covers active duty and Guard or Reserve members on federal orders, so those parts will not apply to everyone.

How do I close my account?

Email support@gocanteen.us and we will walk you through it. Move your money out first, and expect us to keep the records financial regulation requires us to keep.

Security

I think someone has got into my account.

Email support@gocanteen.us straight away and put “urgent” in the subject.

Will you ever ask me for my password or a code?

Never. Not by phone, not by text, not by email. Anyone who does is not us. Service members are targeted for this specifically, often by someone who knows your unit and your pay schedule. Hang up and email us.