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Wage Garnishment Limits in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the first $50 of a debtor's wages is exempt, wages are fully exempt for one year after the debtor stops receiving public relief, and the federal garnishment limit also applies.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Rhode Island at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Federal limit; first $50 of wages exempt
Wages are fully exempt for one year after the debtor stops receiving public relief.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
No, matches federal limit
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Rhode Island

How much of your wages can be garnished for consumer debt in Rhode Island?

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Rhode Island: Federal limit; first $50 of wages exempt. Wages are fully exempt for one year after the debtor stops receiving public relief.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Rhode Island?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in Rhode Island: yes.

Does Rhode Island protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

No, matches federal limit. Stricter than federal limit in Rhode Island: no, matches federal limit.

Does Rhode Island give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

No. Head of household exemption in Rhode Island: no.

Where do the Rhode Island wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4(8) and R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4(9). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The statute also exempts the salary and wages of the debtor's wife and minor children.

The section was last amended in 2025, and the wage exemptions in subsection (8) were not changed.

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.