Choose the type of claim of exemption

If your money is being taken to pay a debt, you may be able to stop it or ask for less to be taken. This is called a claim of exemption.

There are two common ways money can be taken:

Bank levy – money is taken from your bank account
Wage garnishment – money is taken from your paycheck

The rules are different depending on how the money is taken:

For wage garnishment, you can only claim an exemption if losing the money makes it hard to pay for your family’s basic needs (like rent or food).
For a bank levy, some types of income are protected. For example, only 25% of your wages can be taken, and Social Security money can’t be taken at all.

Choose the one that applies to you to learn what to do next:

Not sure which one?

Look at the papers you got:

If they came from the sheriff or your bank, it’s probably a bank levy.
If they came from your employer or payroll department, it’s likely a wage garnishment.

If you’re still not sure, contact the court or talk to a legal aid office for help.