# Send mobile money

Complete the [quickstart](../quickstart.md), then ensure your account has enough fiat funds to cover the payout's **gross amount including fees**. LIVE payouts also follow existing account restrictions, KYC, configured limits and provider availability.

## Submit the payout

```http
POST /business-api/v1/businesses/{businessId}/payouts
X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY
Idempotency-Key: disbursement-1001:payout
Content-Type: application/json

{"amount":500,"currency":"KES","paymentMethodName":"MPESA_KENYA","accountRef":"+254707371664","orderReference":"disbursement-1001","feeApplicationMode":"EXCLUSIVE"}
```

`accountRef` is the recipient's international phone number. EXCLUSIVE sends the requested net and adds fees to the wallet debit. INCLUSIVE treats the requested amount as the gross wallet debit and reduces the amount sent by fees. Do not assume fees from a previous payment are still current.

Use a SANDBOX key for tests, with the optional `X-Simulate-Error-Code` header for [error simulation](../errors.md). You can fund virtual balances through the sandbox top-up endpoint. A LIVE key cannot use sandbox funding.

## Track the debit and outcome

An accepted payout reserves/debits gross immediately; completion does not debit a second time. Save its reference, poll and process the signed terminal event. Do not mark your disbursement paid from the 202 response alone.

FAILED alone does not guarantee a refund. Automatic refunds depend on policy, and the compact response does not expose a refund flag. Reconcile wallet records or contact support when needed. PROCESSING also covers an unresolved provider submission: retain `fondekaReference` and contact support if it remains unresolved. Reuse the original idempotency key after transport errors; never create a replacement automatically.

See [wallet effects](../concepts.md), [webhooks](../webhooks.md), and the [API reference](../openapi.v1.json).