Quick answer
A missing payroll/benefit deposit involves both the originator and the receiving bank/CU. First confirm the payer actually sent the ACH file and the effective/pay date, then verify routing/account information and the receiving institution’s status.
Triage: identify the exact scenario
Ask employer/payer for confirmation, effective date and, if available, ACH trace/reference. Verify routing number, account number and account type used. Check whether the account is open/restricted/closed and whether the institution has a posted/pending/returned entry.
What authoritative sources establish
CFPB says electronically deposited payroll funds generally must be made available no later than the next business day after the business day the institution receives the deposit, though many institutions make payroll available sooner. That rule does not mean the bank received the ACH on the employee’s expected calendar payday if the employer/originator sent it late or used wrong instructions.
Decision path
Employer has not sent → resolve with employer. Employer confirms sent + valid trace → receiving institution should trace/check status. Returned → correct account/routing/status reason before reissue. Account closed/restricted → address account state and redirect future payroll.
What to do next
Keep paystub/payroll confirmation and trace/reference. Correct payroll instructions quickly for future deposits. If the bank says it did not receive the ACH, give that response to the originator so their bank can trace it.
Nacha likewise directs consumers with Direct Deposit problems to the sender and their bank or credit union, and notes that a pending Direct Deposit can mean the institution has received notice of the deposit before it has received the funds.
Important limits
Early pay is not guaranteed. Confirm that the payer transmitted the deposit before attributing a delay to the receiving bank. Direct deposit and mobile check deposit require different evidence.
Sources and scope
Last verified: October 7, 2026.
CFPB — direct-deposit availabilityNacha — Consumer FAQs on ACH payments
Rules and service limits can change. Use the linked agreement for your account and the notice shown for this transaction; if they differ, ask the institution to explain which provision applies.
Evidence checklist before support or escalation
Keep employer/payer confirmation, pay date/effective date, ACH trace if available, routing/account number last digits and account type used, paystub, receiving-bank status and any return reason. Separate “payer did not send” from “bank received but did not credit.”
Detailed FAQ
Q: Who should I contact first if payroll is missing? A: Confirm with employer/payer that the ACH file was actually sent and ask for the effective date/trace if available. Q: Does payday on my paystub prove the bank already received the deposit? A: No. The originator’s sending process and effective date matter. Q: Can my bank hold payroll after receiving it? A: Federal availability rules generally require prompt access to electronic payroll deposits after receipt, but verify the institution’s actual receipt/date. Q: What if the account number was wrong? A: The ACH may return or be misdirected; contact payroll/originator and the receiving institution promptly with trace data. Q: Is early direct deposit guaranteed? A: No unless the institution’s current product terms promise it. Q: What if the old account is closed? A: Update payroll immediately and confirm whether the deposit was returned so the employer can reissue it correctly.
When to switch to an institution-specific page
Use the receiving institution’s instructions for the account identifier and setup process. Keep the payer’s effective date and trace; early posting in a previous cycle is not a promised deadline.
Related guides
SchoolsFirst FCU — direct deposit missing, late, or not posted: /institutions/schoolsfirst-fcu/direct-deposit-problem/