U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Federal Wage Garnishments

Overview

The wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) protect employees from discharge by their employers because their wages have been garnished for any one debt, and it limits the amount of an employee's earnings that may be garnished in any one week. CCPA also applies to all employers and individuals who receive earnings for personal services (including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses and income from a pension or retirement program, but ordinarily not including tips).

General Guidance

Employment Law Guide: Wage Garnishment

Who Is Covered
Basic Provisions/Requirements
Employee Rights
Compliance Assistance Available
Penalties/Sanctions
Relation to State, Local, and Other Federal Laws

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet #30: The Federal Wage Garnishment Law, Consumer Credit Protection Act's Title 3 (CCPA) (PDF)
Fact Sheet #44: Visits to Employers (PDF)

Interpretive Guidance

Opinion Letters
- Non-Administrator Opinion Letters
Field Operations Handbook
- Chapter 16 Title III (PDF) — Consumer Credit Protection Act (Wage Garnishment)

Applicable Laws and Regulations, Opinion Letters, and Field Operations Handbook Chapter

The Law (PDF) — 15 U.S.C. 1671, et seq.
The Regulations — 29 CFR Part 870