---
title: "Eligibility check"
description: "Find out if a business is eligible to apply for a Flexi-Loan"
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

The eligibility check endpoint tells you whether a business is eligible to apply for a loan with iwoca, before you create an application.
You send the business's Companies House number, and we let you know whether the company is eligible to apply.

<Info>
**Not enabled by default.** The eligibility check must be switched on for your account before you can use it.
To get started, contact your iwoca Partnership Manager or email [partners@iwoca.co.uk](mailto:partners@iwoca.co.uk).
</Info>

## How it works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check the business">
    ```http
    POST /eligibility_check/
    ```

    **You'll need:**

    - The business's Companies House number
    - Optionally, its SIC code
    - Optionally, its MCC code
    - Optionally, your own reference, such as a tier, or other non-PII data

    **Response:** You'll receive `is_eligible` and an `eligibility_check_id` for your records.
  </Step>
  <Step title="If it's eligible, send it to iwoca">
    Eligible means the business can apply, not that it's approved for a loan.
    Create the customer and their application as usual, using [API Lite](/guides/integration-options/referral-api-integration#integration-steps) or [API Plus](/guides/integration-options/enhanced-integration#integration-steps).
  </Step>
  <Step title="If it's not eligible, don't send it">
    iwoca can't help this business right now, so sending it would give your customer a poor experience.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Run a new check before each submission, as a business's eligibility can change.

## Test in the sandbox

Three Companies House numbers return deterministic verdicts on the sandbox:

| Companies House number | Response |
|---|---|
| `01111112` | `is_eligible: true` |
| `01111113` | `is_eligible: true` |
| `01111119` | `is_eligible: false` |

<Info>
These test numbers only work in the sandbox.
In production, every call runs a real check.
</Info>

---

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <ApiRefCard title="API reference" icon="code" to="eligibility-check/overview">
    Eligibility check endpoint specifications
  </ApiRefCard>
  <Card title="Integration options" icon="map" href="/guides/integration-options/overview">
    Send eligible businesses with API Lite or API Plus
  </Card>
</CardGroup>