How it works

Send your first contract in 60 seconds.

From sending the contract to filing the 1099, here is exactly what happens. Stripe Connect Express holds the funds in escrow; we handle the W-9 at onboarding and the 1099-NEC at year-end.

The Flow

Six steps. Built on Stripe Connect Express.

Every step below maps to something we already ship — Phase 1 + Phase 2 are on disk. No aspirational claims.

Sign up

Create your PayWelly account, then complete Stripe Identity — a quick selfie and ID match. Identity verification is required before you can post a contract or apply to one. Your W-9 is collected here, through Stripe, encrypted at rest.

Stripe IdentityW-9 collectedRequired at signup

Send a contract

Fill in the engagement details — rate, hours, work location. We auto-generate the per-engagement ICA with the appropriate state-specific addendum already attached. Both parties e-sign with a documented signature event.

Stripe escrow

When the contractor accepts, Stripe charges the platform fee plus the contract amount and holds the funds in a Stripe Connect Express custodial account. Stripe is the custodian; PayWelly is not the merchant of record for the underlying work.

Connect ExpressCustodial accountOn acceptance

Work happens off-platform

PayWelly is contracts and payments, not staffing or labor brokering. The work itself happens between you and the contractor — message in-app, but the engagement is yours to run.

Mark complete

Both parties confirm the engagement is finished. PayWelly releases the escrowed funds. If there is a dispute, the funds stay in escrow until our team reviews the case.

Same-day payout

Funds release same-day to the contractor's debit card; 1–3 business days for standard ACH. Stripe files the 1099-NEC at year-end for any contractor crossing the $2,000 annual threshold.

The Sequence

Hire to paid, in four steps.

The same four-step flow you saw on the homepage — repeated here so the sequence stays the same wherever you read it.

Step 1: Send the contract
Pick the contractor. Auto-fill terms. They e-sign in two taps. Master ICA and state addenda attach automatically.
Step 2: Fund the escrow
$19.99 + the contract amount + 15% is charged when you accept their application. Stripe holds the funds.
Step 3: The work happens
Off-platform. Message in-app. Overtime requires your approval before it bills.
Step 4: They get paid. You are 1099-ready.
Funds release same-day to debit card (1–3 business days standard ACH). Every payment counts toward their 1099 automatically.

Stripe Escrow
IRS-compliant W-9 / 1099-NEC
TLS-encrypted in transit