> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hyperswitch.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hyperswitch.io/integrations/prism/python/payout-service/eligibility.md).

# Check Eligibility

## Overview

The `eligibility` method in the Payout Service checks whether a payout can be made to a given payout method before funds are committed. It is used for pre-verification flows such as SEPA Verification of Payee (VoP) and other payee-verification checks.

## Purpose

Use this operation to validate a payee or payout method before initiating a transfer, reducing the risk of failed or misdirected payouts.

| Scenario                       | Developer Implementation                                                              |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Verify a payee before transfer | Call `eligibility` with the payout method and amount, then inspect `payout_eligible`. |
| Pre-check a bank account       | Call `eligibility` with the bank details to confirm the account can receive funds.    |

## Request Fields

| Field                    | Type           | Required | Description                                                  |
| ------------------------ | -------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `merchant_payout_id`     | string         | No       | Your internal identifier for the eligibility check.          |
| `connector_feature_data` | SecretString   | No       | Connector-specific metadata passed to the eligibility check. |
| `payout_method_data`     | PayoutMethod   | No       | Specific details of the payout instrument being checked.     |
| `amount`                 | Money          | Yes      | The amount to be paid out.                                   |
| `connector_payout_id`    | string         | No       | An existing payout identifier from the connector.            |
| `destination_currency`   | Currency       | Yes      | The currency in which the recipient will receive the payout. |
| `access_token`           | SecretString   | No       | Access token for the connector, if required.                 |
| `address`                | PayoutAddress  | No       | Address information associated with the payout.              |
| `customer`               | Customer       | No       | Details about the customer receiving the payout.             |
| `source_bank_data`       | SourceBankData | No       | Details of the bank account from which the payout is funded. |

## Response Fields

| Field                                | Type                     | Required | Description                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------ | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `merchant_payout_id`                 | string                   | No       | Your internal identifier for the eligibility check.                                                                              |
| `payout_status`                      | PayoutEnums.PayoutStatus | No       | The current status of the payout.                                                                                                |
| `connector_payout_id`                | string                   | No       | The unique payout ID assigned by the connector (set only when the payee is eligible).                                            |
| `error`                              | ErrorInfo                | No       | Details of any error that occurred during the check.                                                                             |
| `status_code`                        | uint32                   | Yes      | The HTTP status code returned from the connector.                                                                                |
| `payout_eligible`                    | bool                     | No       | Whether the payout is eligible.                                                                                                  |
| `connector_metadata`                 | SecretString             | No       | Connector-specific details as a JSON object, surfaced to the merchant.                                                           |
| `connector_eligibility_reference_id` | string                   | No       | Connector's reference for the eligibility check itself. Set for every verdict so the check remains traceable for reconciliation. |

## Example

### SDK Setup

```python
from hyperswitch_prism import PayoutClient

payout_client = PayoutClient(
    connector='stripe',
    api_key='YOUR_API_KEY',
    environment='SANDBOX'
)
```

### Request

```python
request = {
    "amount": {
        "minor_amount": 1000,
        "currency": "USD"
    },
    "destination_currency": "USD",
    "payout_method_data": {
        "ach": {
            "bank_account_number": "000123456789",
            "bank_routing_number": "110000000"
        }
    }
}

response = await payout_client.eligibility(request)
```

### Response

```python
{
    "payout_eligible": True,
    "connector_eligibility_reference_id": "elig_1Hh1XYZ2eZvKYlo2C",
    "status_code": 200
}
```

## Next Steps

* [Transfer Payout](/integrations/prism/python/payout-service/transfer.md)
* [Create Payout](/integrations/prism/python/payout-service/create.md)


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