Payment Demand Letter for Unpaid Internships

What a good one includes

• Specify your exact internship start and end dates along with your official job title to establish the timeline of your employment.
• Reference the original offer letter, internship agreement, or written promise that detailed your compensation, whether it was an hourly wage, a flat stipend, or expense reimbursements.
• State the precise dollar amount currently overdue, providing an itemized breakdown if it includes multiple categories like hours worked and travel expenses.
• List the dates of any previous emails, conversations, or invoice submissions where you requested payment to prove you have already made reasonable efforts to resolve this informally.
• Set a clear and reasonable deadline, typically 10 to 14 business days from the receipt of the letter, for the funds to be transferred or mailed to you.
• Provide clear instructions on how the payment should be made, including your mailing address for a physical check or direct deposit details.
• State firmly that you will escalate the matter to the state Department of Labor or pursue small claims court if payment is not received by the specified deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Letting emotions or personal frustration dictate the tone rather than keeping the language strictly professional, objective, and evidence-based.
• Failing to attach copy evidence, such as signed agreements, timesheets, or expense receipts, which makes your claim easier for HR or accounting to dismiss.
• Setting a vague or open-ended deadline instead of a concrete date, which allows the company to continue delaying your payment indefinitely.
• Apologizing for demanding your rightfully earned money, which weakens your position and suggests you might not follow through with legal escalation.

Frequently asked questions