There are a lot of survey companies you can sign up for, but most of us want to get paid and get paid fast. The good news is there are companies that pay through PayPal and/or process checks immediately, and there is an easy way to find them.

When you register for survey companies, there should be somewhere on their site that states how you get paid. It is often either on their home page/landing page, or listed in their frequently asked questions section (FAQ). If all you see on that first page is statements about sweepstakes entries, don’t be immediately discouraged. Sometimes companies give you sweepstakes entries and points redeemable for cash via check and PayPal. You will have to check their individual websites to see what their particular procedures are.

After you find the companies that interest you, you will also need to look for the timelines each company has for processing their payments. If you need immediate cash, try to stick with the companies that will pay you through PayPal, or have short processing times. It is important to look at the check processing times because some research panels take up to 8 weeks or more to get you your check. These are still great companies, but when your need is immediate, you may want to spend your time on the surveys that pay quickly first. Then, if you have additional time and your have taken the surveys from your preferred panels, you can earn money elsewhere, too.

Be sure to look and see before you get too involved in taking surveys. There is nothing worse than saving up a lot of money in your account, only to find that when you request a payment, you may not get it for 2 months. Know the rules ahead of time and you will never be disappointed.

By C.D. Watson