Benjamin App Guide: How to Earn Cash Playing Games, Taking Surveys and Scanning Receipts

Benjamin bundles several ways to earn small rewards into one app, with mobile games as the biggest earner.

If you're looking for a low-effort way to earn a little extra money from your phone, the Benjamin app is worth a look. It pays users for reaching milestones in mobile games, and it adds other ways to earn, like surveys, receipt scanning and cashback when you shop. Rewards are shown in dollars in the app.

Here's how Benjamin works, how you get paid, what to watch out for and how to sign up with our referral code.

What Benjamin is

Benjamin is made by Benjamin Capital Partners, Inc., a financial technology company based in New York. The company describes itself as a fintech, not a bank. The free app is available on iPhone and Android in the United States, and it's rated for users 18 and older in both app stores.

Benjamin makes money through partnerships with game developers, brands and survey companies. When you try a game or complete an offer, the partner pays Benjamin, and Benjamin shares part of that with you.

The main ways to earn

Games. This is where the biggest rewards are. You download a game from the app and earn cash for reaching milestones, such as hitting a certain level within a set time frame. Rewards vary by game, and the larger amounts require reaching deeper levels.

Surveys. Short surveys matched to your profile pay small amounts. The app says many take two to five minutes.

Receipts and cashback. You can scan receipts from everyday purchases for small rewards and earn cashback at participating retailers.

Videos and daily streaks. Watching short video ads and checking in daily can add small bonuses that build over time.

How to cash out

Benjamin lets you move your earnings to a bank account, PayPal or Venmo, and it also offers gift cards. Before your first cash-out, you'll need to verify your identity with a photo ID. Minimum withdrawal amounts and limits apply, and some recent app store reviews mention withdrawal limits and fees, so check the cash-out screen in the app for the current rules before you plan around a payout.

What to expect

Benjamin's App Store listing says its users average $30 to $50 a month with 15 to 20 minutes of daily activity, and that it has more than 5 million users. That's the company's own claim, and your results will depend on which offers you complete and how much time you put in. Most people treat it as a way to earn extra spending money, not as income to live on.

Reviews are mixed, which is common for rewards apps. The app is rated about 4.4 out of 5 from roughly 86,000 ratings on the Apple App Store, though recent reviews there include complaints about delayed payouts and slow support. Common complaints include game progress that doesn't track and slow withdrawals. Taking screenshots of your milestones and contacting support through the in-app chat can help if something doesn't credit.

Tips to get the most from Benjamin

Pick games you'd enjoy anyway, because the best-paying milestones take steady play over days or weeks. Read each offer's milestones and deadlines before you download. Turn on app tracking when the offer requires it, since that's how Benjamin confirms your progress. And never spend money inside a game just to reach a reward. That usually costs more than you'll earn.

It also helps to combine the smaller features. Scanning receipts after a grocery run or checking in daily takes only seconds, and those small amounts can add up alongside your game rewards.

Is Benjamin right for you?

Benjamin tends to suit people who already enjoy casual mobile games and want to earn something from that time. It's also a good fit if you like having several small ways to earn in one place, since receipts, surveys and daily check-ins can fill in between game milestones. It may be less appealing if you want quick, guaranteed payouts or don't like sharing data with apps, because game rewards rely on tracking and can take days or weeks to reach. Trying it for a few weeks with one game is an easy way to decide whether it fits your routine.

What Benjamin's numbers work out to per hour

Benjamin's own figure is $30 to $50 a month for 15 to 20 minutes a day. Over a 30-day month, that's about 7.5 to 10 hours of activity. Divide the earnings by the time and you get roughly $3 to $7 an hour, and that's the company's average, not a guarantee.

That rate makes sense for time you'd spend on your phone anyway, like waiting rooms or winding down at night. It doesn't compare well with most part-time work, so if you need meaningful extra income, a traditional side hustle will usually pay far more. Our guide to choosing the right side hustle can help you compare options.

Taxes on app rewards

Cash rewards from apps can count as income. The IRS says income from apps and online platforms must be reported even if you don't receive a 1099 form, so keep a simple record of what you cash out during the year. See our side hustle taxes explainer and the IRS gig economy tax center.

Related reading: how to choose the right side hustle, side hustle scams to avoid and what to do with your side hustle income.

How to sign up with our code

Signing up takes a few minutes. You'll need a phone number for a text verification code, plus your name and email. When you join, use our referral code uwqiu0G3NQ, or tap the link below, which applies it automatically. Benjamin runs a referral program that can reward both new members and the person who referred them once certain conditions are met, so check the app for the current offer.

Disclosure: This article contains a referral link and code. If you sign up with them, The Evergreen Edit may receive a reward at no cost to you. Benjamin is available in the U.S. for users 18 and older. Rewards, minimums and rules are set by Benjamin and can change, so check the app for current terms.