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Payment Statuses
This guide explains what payment statuses mean, what to do when a payment needs attention, and how payment processing differs from a payout to your bank.
Most card payments receive an immediate response from the payment processor. Bank account (ACH) payments take longer, so reaching the confirmation page does not necessarily mean the payment has finished processing.
How do I check a payment's status?
Open the transaction in BetterUnite and review its payment details for the status and any available explanation. For help locating and reviewing a transaction, see How do I see transaction details, and what do they mean?.
What do ACH payment statuses mean?
Processing
The bank payment has been submitted and is still being processed. BetterUnite is waiting for the result from the payment processor. The payer may already have reached a confirmation page, but the payment is not yet confirmed as successful. Check the transaction details for updates.
Requires Action
An additional step may be needed before the payment can continue, such as verifying the payer's bank account. Review the payment details and follow any verification instructions provided to they payer. Some bank accounts require micro-deposit verification. The payer must complete that verification before the payment can move forward. Learn more in What are micro-deposits when making an ACH payment?
Succeeded
BetterUnite has received confirmation that the payment succeeded and updates the transaction automatically. A successful payment does not necessarily mean the funds have already reached your organization's bank account. Payment processing and bank payouts happen separately.
Failed
The payment did not complete successfully. Review the failure information in the transaction details before deciding what to do next. If the payment included tickets or other purchases, review those items before making changes to the transactions. Contact our team if you need help determining how to handle the failed payment and its associated purchases.
Why hasn't a successful payment reached my bank?
Payment status and payout timing describe different things:
- Payment status tells you whether the donor's payment is still processing, needs attention, succeeded, or failed.
- Payout timing determines when the processor sends available funds to your organization's bank account.
A payment can succeed before its funds are available for payout. Timing can depend on your processor, account history, verification requirements, and risk reviews. A delayed payout alone does not mean the donor's payment failed.
For Stripe payments, see Stripe payout schedules explained. If your organization uses PayPal, review the balance, transfer options, and any holds in your PayPal account.
Can a large payment take longer?
Payment processors may review transactions or delay the availability of funds based on transaction size and other risk factors. Review the transaction's payment status separately from its payout information. This helps you determine whether the payment itself is still processing or whether a successful payment is waiting to be paid out.
What should I do if a payment needs attention?
- If it is processing: Check the transaction details for updates while the bank payment is processed.
- If it requires actions: Follow any verification instructions provided to the payer.
- If it failed: Review the failure details and any associated tickets or purchases before changing the record.
- If it succeeded but the funds haven't arrived: Check your payment processor's payout information.
Need Additional Help?
We're here help. Contact support@betterunite.com if you need assistance understanding a payment's status or deciding what to do next.
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