evidence: Upstart: Best for small bad credit emergency loans 4.8 [...] Upstart offers smaller minimum loan amounts for borrowers with low credit scores who need emergency cash and want to avoid payday loans. The lender's minimum credit score is the lowest of our featured emergency loan lenders. - Have a valid email address - Have a Social Security number - Have a personal bank account - Have steady income or job offer starting within 6 months - Earn a minimum annual income of $12,000 - Origination fee of up to 12%