Wage Garnishment Limits in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia limits wage garnishment for consumer debt to 25% of the amount by which weekly disposable wages exceed 40 times the DC minimum wage.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
District of Columbia at a glance
- Garnishment limit for consumer debt
- 25% of disposable wages above 40x DC minimum wage
- Only one wage attachment may be satisfied at a time.
- Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
- Yes
- Stricter than federal limit
- Yes
- Head of household exemption
- No
The rules in the District of Columbia
How much of your wages can be garnished for consumer debt in the District of Columbia?
Garnishment limit for consumer debt in the District of Columbia: 25% of disposable wages above 40x DC minimum wage. Only one wage attachment may be satisfied at a time.
Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in the District of Columbia: yes.
Does District of Columbia protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?
Yes. Stricter than federal limit in the District of Columbia: yes.
Does District of Columbia give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?
No. Head of household exemption in the District of Columbia: no.
Where do the the District of Columbia wage garnishment limits come from?
The rules above come from D.C. Code 16-572. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.
What this means in practice
Disposable earnings are what remains after deductions the law requires, such as income tax, Social Security and required withholding. Voluntary deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions are usually not subtracted, so the protected amount is often less than take home pay suggests.
The limits in this guide apply to ordinary consumer debt. Child support, alimony, federal and state taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules that often allow a larger share of pay to be taken, even in states with strict limits for other debts.
Exemptions are often not applied automatically. A worker may need to file a claim of exemption with the court within a short deadline after receiving notice of the garnishment. Reading the notice promptly, and talking with the creditor about a payment plan or settlement, can keep more of each paycheck.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
More District of Columbia rules
- Homestead Exemption Laws in the District of Columbia
- Small Claims Court Limits in the District of Columbia
- Statute of Limitations on Debt in the District of Columbia
- Usury Laws in the District of Columbia
- Tenant Abandoned Property Laws in the District of Columbia
- Adverse Possession Laws in the District of Columbia
- Age of Majority and Emancipation in the District of Columbia
- Child Custody Preference Age in the District of Columbia
- Security Deposit Laws in the District of Columbia
- Eviction Notice Requirements in the District of Columbia
- Will Requirements in the District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia documents and rules