A “Tilt fka Empower” charge on your bank statement is a debit from the cash advance and budgeting app formerly known as Empower Finance, which rebranded to Tilt in August 2025. In almost every case, the debit is one of three things: the app’s $8 monthly subscription fee, a repayment on a cash advance you took, or an instant delivery fee for getting an advance faster than the free standard option. The “fka” tag on your statement simply signals the name change so the new merchant name still ties back to Empower.
Why the Statement Shows Both Names
You may see the charge written as “Tilt fka Empower,” “Empower Tilt,” or a similar pairing. “Fka” stands for “formerly known as,” a standard way businesses flag a rebrand on financial records so customers can recognize the company under either name. A transaction ID often appears next to the merchant label, and it’s worth jotting down if you plan to call your bank or Tilt support about a specific line item.
The $8 Monthly Subscription
Tilt charges $8 per month for its subscription. New users get a 14-day free trial before the first charge; returning customers who previously canceled are billed immediately when they resubscribe. The subscription covers budgeting tools, spending insights, and eligibility for cash advances.
One detail most users miss: you can ask Tilt to waive the subscription fee and keep access to cash advances and the Tilt checking account anyway. The request has to go through support, either in the app, by phone, or by emailing help@tilt.com.1Tilt. What Is Tilt’s Subscription Fee?
Cash Advance Repayments
Cash advances through Tilt run from $10 to $400 with no interest.2Tilt. Cash Advance up to $400 – No Interest, No Credit Check The amount you qualify for depends on your income and spending patterns from a linked checking account rather than a credit pull.3Tilt. How Do I Get a Cash Advance? Repayments are timed to your next paycheck. So if you see a Tilt debit somewhere between $10 and $400 landing around payday, it is almost certainly an advance being paid back.
Instant Delivery Fees
Standard delivery of a cash advance to your linked bank account is free and arrives within one business day via ACH. If you want the money right away, Tilt charges an instant delivery fee based on the advance amount:4Tilt. Does Tilt Charge Any Hidden Fees?
- $10 or less: $1
- $10.01–$49.99: $2
- $50–$74.99: $3
- $75–$99.99: $4
- $100–$149.99: $5
- $150–$199.99: $6
- $200–$249.99: $7
- $250–$299.99: $8
- $300 or more: 3% of the advance amount
Maryland residents have instant delivery fees capped at $7.50 under state law. Instant delivery to a qualifying Tilt Card is free.
Canceling the Subscription
To stop the $8 recurring charge, open the Tilt app and go to the billing or subscriptions section in settings, then follow the prompts to confirm cancellation. If you can’t get into the app, email help@tilt.com with your full name and the email address tied to your account. A confirmation typically comes back within 24 to 48 hours.
If your cancellation lands close to the next scheduled charge date, one more billing cycle may still process. Watch your bank account for a few weeks after canceling to make sure no further debits appear. If they do, federal law prohibits online subscriptions from continuing to bill you without a simple cancellation path, and that turns the issue into a dispute rather than a billing question.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 15 USC 8403 – Negative Option Marketing on the Internet
Disputing Charges You Didn’t Authorize
If you never signed up for Tilt, or you see charges you didn’t authorize, start with your bank and file an electronic fund transfer dispute. Regulation E gives you 60 days from the date the charge first appears on your statement to report the error. Waiting past that window can limit what you’re able to recover.6Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Procedures for Resolving Errors
Once you report the error, your bank has 10 business days to investigate. It can extend that to 45 calendar days, but only if it provisionally credits your account inside the first 10 business days so you aren’t out the money while the review runs. For new accounts (within 30 days of your first deposit) or foreign-initiated transfers, the window can stretch to 90 days.
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. Most companies respond to CFPB complaints within 15 days, and the bureau publishes complaint data publicly. Include a description of the issue, the dates and dollar amounts, and any screenshots of communication with Tilt. The CFPB limits uploads to 50 pages of supporting documents.7Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Submit a Complaint
Reaching Tilt Directly
Tilt offers three support channels:8Tilt. How Do I Contact Tilt Support?
- In-app chat, available around the clock and generally the fastest option.
- Phone at (888) 943-8967, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time, excluding holidays.
- Email at help@tilt.com for non-urgent questions.
Have the last four digits of the linked bank account and any transaction IDs from your statement ready before you reach out. That’s usually the difference between a five-minute call and an hour of back-and-forth.