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Wage garnishment and exemptions in District of Columbia

How much of your pay a creditor can take in District of Columbia. Here is what is protected in your bank account, the property you can keep and how to claim an exemption.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

Here is District of Columbia's rule on wage garnishment. Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part. We could not confirm a general dollar amount protected in a bank account in District of Columbia; directly deposited federal benefits are still protected (31 CFR 212.6).

Wage limit
Up to 25%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
D.C. Code § 16-572; § 15-501

How much can they take from your paycheck in District of Columbia?

After a court judgment on a credit card, medical bill or other consumer debt.

Pay after taxes and other deductions the law requires, before voluntary ones such as a 401(k).

Enter your take-home payThe most a creditor can take appears here.

An estimate, not legal advice.

Deadline and form to protect your money in District of Columbia

The papers from the court, your employer or your bank list the deadline to claim an exemption. Ask the court how to file the claim: District of Columbia court self-help (official).

Pay or bank account being taken? Claim an exemption →Get the exemption claim letter →

in the Debt lawsuits section

Your paycheck and garnishment in District of Columbia

Wage limit
Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part.
Head of household
Most D.C. property exemptions in § 15-501 are written for the head of a family or householder who lives or earns most of their living in D.C.
Law
D.C. Code § 16-572; § 15-501

Federal law caps garnishment at 25% of disposable earnings or less (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)); where District of Columbia's rule protects more, it applies.

In nearby states

District of Columbia exemptions for your home, car and belongings

  • D.C. protects your interest in the home you live in (no dollar cap is stated in § 15-501(a)(14)), up to $2,575 in one motor vehicle, household goods up to $8,625 in total, and Social Security, veterans, disability and unemployment benefits (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)).

Bank accounts and garnishment in District of Columbia

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). Read the debt lawsuit guide.

Other kinds of debt follow other limits

  • Child support: a support order can take 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, depending on whether you support another family, and 55% or 65% for support over 12 weeks overdue (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
  • Federal student loans: no lawsuit is needed: up to 15% of disposable pay, after at least 30 days' written notice (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
  • Other debts owed to a federal agency: an agency can garnish up to 15% of disposable pay, and you keep at least 30 times the federal minimum wage a week (31 CFR 285.11).
  • Federal taxes: the IRS uses its own exempt amount, set by your standard deduction and dependents; give your employer the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

The lawsuit comes first in District of Columbia

If you miss the hearing or the answer deadline, the collector can get a default judgment. Before entering judgment in a debt collection case, the court must check that the collector met D.C.'s filing rules, and it can dismiss the case if not (§ 28-3814(t)).

Answer the lawsuit by the deadline. In District of Columbia: Small Claims (up to $10,000): in most cases you do not have to file a written answer; you go to the hearing and tell the judge why you disagree.

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in District of Columbia

Protecting your pay and property in District of Columbia

  1. Watch for deadlines

    Exemption deadlines on court, employer or bank papers can be short, so mark them at once.

  2. Apply District of Columbia's wage rule

    District of Columbia's wage rule: Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part. Most D.C. property exemptions in § 15-501 are written for the head of a family or householder who lives or earns most of their living in D.C.

  3. Check your bank deposits

    Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. File the exemption claim

    Ask the court clerk for the exemption claim form and file it by the deadline. Start with District of Columbia court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in District of Columbia

Can a creditor take my wages in District of Columbia, and how much?

Stricter than federal: only the part of your weekly disposable wages above 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage can be reached, and only 25% of that part.

Does District of Columbia protect more pay for a head of family?

Most D.C. property exemptions in § 15-501 are written for the head of a family or householder who lives or earns most of their living in D.C.

Can a creditor take my home or car in District of Columbia?

D.C. protects your interest in the home you live in (no dollar cap is stated in § 15-501(a)(14)), up to $2,575 in one motor vehicle, household goods up to $8,625 in total, and Social Security, veterans, disability and unemployment benefits (D.C. Code § 15-501(a)).

Related District of Columbia pages

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources