Withdrawing a proposal on Connects does not automatically refund your money
When you withdraw a proposal on Connects — the platform where freelancers bid on projects — whether you get money back depends on what stage the project is in and what your contract says. If you have not yet been hired or the client has not released payment, there is nothing to refund. If you have already been paid and then withdraw, the money stays with you unless the contract requires you to return it or the client disputes the work.
Connects are the credits you spend to submit proposals on Upwork (the company that runs Connects). Spending a Connect to submit a proposal is not a payment to the client — it is a fee to Upwork for the right to bid. That fee does not come back when you withdraw the proposal, whether the client accepts it or rejects it.
Key Takeaways
- Connects spent to submit a proposal are not refunded when you withdraw, even if the client never responds or hires someone else.
- If you have been paid by the client and then withdraw the proposal or project, you keep the money unless your contract says otherwise or the client files a dispute.
- Money held in escrow by Upwork (before the client releases it) stays in escrow if you withdraw; the client can release it to another freelancer or reclaim it.
- Withdrawing a proposal does not trigger a refund from Upwork, but disputing a charge or requesting a refund for a completed project follows a separate process.
What happens to Connects when you withdraw a proposal
Connects are Upwork's bidding currency. When you submit a proposal, you spend a certain number of Connects (usually 2 to 6, depending on the job category and your account tier). That spend is final — Upwork does not refund Connects for withdrawn proposals.
This is true whether you withdraw immediately after submitting or days later. It is also true if the client never responds, hires someone else, or cancels the project. The Connect fee is Upwork's charge for letting you bid, not a payment held pending the client's decision.
If you want to recover Connects, your only option is to purchase more with real money or wait for Upwork to credit you with free Connects as part of a promotion or membership benefit. Upwork does not restore Connects after a proposal withdrawal.
Money already paid to you stays with you
If the client has already paid you through Upwork's escrow system and then you withdraw from the project, the money you earned is yours to keep. Withdrawing a proposal or stepping away from a project does not automatically reverse a payment that has been released to your account.
The exception is if the client files a dispute or chargeback. If the client claims you did not deliver the work or breaches the contract, they can open a dispute with Upwork. Upwork will then hold the funds while investigating. If Upwork rules in the client's favor, the money may be returned to the client or held in your account pending resolution.
Always check the terms of your contract before withdrawing. Some contracts require you to return payment if you do not complete the work. If you withdraw and the client later disputes the charge, you may be liable to repay them.
Money in escrow before client release
If the client has funded the project but has not yet released payment to you (money is held in escrow), withdrawing does not put that money back in your pocket. The funds remain with Upwork until the client releases them, the project milestone is completed, or a dispute is resolved.
When you withdraw, the client can choose to release the funds to another freelancer, reclaim the money, or let it sit. You have no claim to escrow funds unless the contract is completed and the client approves the work.
Refund requests for completed work
If you want to request a refund from Upwork for a completed project — for example, because you were charged a fee you believe was wrong or the client paid you by mistake — that is a separate process from withdrawing a proposal.
You can contact Upwork support through your account to dispute a charge or request a refund. Upwork will review the transaction and your contract. Refunds are not may provide and depend on whether Upwork finds the charge was in error or the transaction violated their terms.
Response times for refund requests vary. Upwork typically responds within 5 to 10 business days, though complex disputes can take longer. You will need to provide documentation: the contract, messages with the client, proof of payment, and a clear explanation of why you believe a refund is owed.
How to avoid losing Connects on proposals that do not convert
Since Connects are not refunded when you withdraw, the best strategy is to spend them carefully. Read the job posting thoroughly before submitting. If the client's requirements are unclear, the budget is too low, or the timeline is unrealistic, withdrawing early saves you from wasting more time — but the Connect is already spent.
Some freelancers choose to bid on fewer, higher-quality matches rather than submitting many proposals. This reduces the number of Connects spent on long-shot bids. Others use Upwork's filters to narrow job categories and client types, so they submit only to projects they are genuinely interested in.
If you run out of Connects, you can purchase more through your account settings. Upwork also offers membership plans (Upwork Plus and Upwork Pro) that include monthly Connects allowances, which may be more cost-effective if you bid frequently.
Disputing a charge if you believe it was wrong
If Upwork charged you a fee you did not authorize, or if you were billed twice for the same proposal, you can dispute the charge through your account. Go to your billing history, find the transaction, and select the option to report a problem or request a refund.
Upwork will ask you to describe the issue. Be specific: include the date, the amount, the project name, and why you believe the charge was incorrect. If you have screenshots or messages from the client, attach them.
Upwork reviews billing disputes within 5 to 10 business days. If they find the charge was an error, they will refund the amount to your Upwork wallet or original payment method. If they find the charge was correct under their terms, they will explain why and deny the refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Connects back if I withdraw before the client responds?
No. Connects are spent when you submit the proposal, not when the client hires you. Withdrawing at any point does not return the Connects. They are Upwork's fee for letting you bid on the job.
What if the client cancels the project after I withdraw?
If you have not been paid, there is nothing to refund to you. If the client has already paid you and then cancels, you keep the money unless they file a dispute. Check your contract to see if it requires you to return funds if the project is cancelled.
Do I lose money if I withdraw a proposal I have not submitted yet?
You cannot withdraw a proposal you have not submitted. Once you submit, the Connect is spent. If you change your mind before submitting, simply do not click the submit button — no charge occurs.
How do I request a refund from Upwork for a billing error?
Go to your billing history in account settings, find the charge you dispute, and select the option to report a problem. Describe the error clearly and attach any supporting documents. Upwork will respond within 5 to 10 business days.
If a client disputes my work after I withdraw, do I have to refund them?
If you have already been paid and the client files a dispute, Upwork will investigate. If they rule in the client's favor, you may be required to refund the amount. Your contract terms determine whether you are liable if you withdraw before completing the work.