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How to Read a Garnishment Notice

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  • How to Read a Garnishment Notice

Why your garnishment notice matters

If you’ve received a Notice of Intent to Garnish Wages, you are not alone — thousands of borrowers get this notice every month after defaulting on their federal student loans. It’s the government’s warning that it intends to collect directly from your paycheck without going to court. What you do next determines whether that notice becomes a real garnishment or gets stopped in its tracks.

This guide explains what every section of the notice means and what actions you can take immediately to protect your income.

The 30-day response window

The most important part of the notice is the deadline — usually 30 days from the date of the letter. During this window, you can:
  • Request a hearing to dispute the debt or claim financial hardship.
  • Enter into a repayment or rehabilitation agreement.
  • Provide documentation proving the loan was already paid or consolidated.
Failing to act within that time frame means the government can order your employer to withhold up to 15% of your disposable pay without further warning.

The deadlines you can’t ignore

If you believe the debt is incorrect or you can’t afford the garnishment, you can request a hearing. The notice will explain how to do this — typically by mailing or faxing a written request to the Department of Education’s Default Resolution Group. At the hearing, you can:
  • Dispute ownership of the loan.
  • Dispute the balance.
  • Claim financial hardship.
  • Show proof of rehabilitation or consolidation already in progress.
If you win the hearing, garnishment is delayed or cancelled. If you lose, you still retain the right to enter a repayment plan that pauses the garnishment once it’s active.

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  • What to check in the payment section

    Your notice will list your current balance, interest rate, and collection costs added by the government. Review these carefully — collection costs can reach up to 25% of your loan balance, and errors are common. We regularly find clients who were charged interest twice or assessed duplicate collection fees. Correcting these mistakes can reduce your balance substantially.

  • What happens if you ignore the notice

    Ignoring a garnishment notice guarantees one outcome — money will be taken directly from your paycheck. Once the order is issued, reversing it takes time and documentation. You may still request a hearing or start rehabilitation later, but the government will keep withholding until it processes your request. Acting early avoids that lag and prevents months of lost wages.

  • How to respond strategically

    - Read every line carefully. Don’t assume it’s generic; each notice contains unique deadlines.
    - Contact your employer’s payroll department. Ask if a garnishment order has already been received.
    - Submit a hearing request or rehabilitation form immediately. Don’t wait for a second letter.
    - Document everything. Keep copies of every fax, letter, and email.
    - Call 877-700-5790. We’ll confirm the collector’s identity and prepare your hearing or rehabilitation paperwork correctly the first time.

  • Special considerations for joint filers and spouses

    If you file taxes jointly, your spouse’s income is not affected by wage garnishment, but their share of tax refunds may be offset through the Treasury Offset Program. If your spouse is not responsible for the debt, they can file an Injured Spouse Claim (Form 8379) to recover their share of any seized refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

That’s a red flag. You have the right to demand written verification before any wage order takes effect. Collectors must provide it.
See also: Debt Validation Letters That Work.

Usually 30 days from the date of the letter. Act as soon as possible because processing times can delay your protection.
See also: Administrative Wage Garnishment.

Yes. Entering rehabilitation or consolidation can end the garnishment once the paperwork is approved. See also: Rehabilitation vs Consolidation.
You can file on your own, but professional help increases your odds of success. We know what documentation hearing officers require and how to meet those deadlines. See also: Federal Student Loan Default Guide.
Federal law limits how much can be taken. Employers must follow specific priority rules. We help ensure compliance and prevent over-withholding. See also: Treasury Offset Program Explained.
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