[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53722-53723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26230]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Garnishments Processing Fee

AGENCY: Department of Defense, Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is giving notice that it will 
collect a fee for processing garnishments against Department of Defense 
civilian employees and involuntary allotment applications against 
active duty military

[[Page 53723]]

members to satisfy debts other than for alimony or child support. The 
fee is $75.00, and will be collected from the monies payable to the 
creditor at the time the garnishment or involuntary allotment is first 
instituted.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Garnishment Operations 
Directorate, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland Center, 
Cleveland, Ohio, (216) 522-5301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 5 U.S.C. 5520a permits a garnishment or 
involuntary allotment against the pay of civilian employees and active 
duty military members to satisfy debts owed to private parties other 
than for alimony and child support. That law was recently amended by 
Public Law 104-106, February 10, 1996, to authorize the Department of 
Defense to assess the creditor a fee to recover its costs in processing 
garnishments and involuntary allotments. Based upon a cost study, the 
Department of Defense has decided to impose a fee of $75.00 for 
processing of each garnishment or involuntary allotment. As required by 
the law, this fee will be charged to the creditor and deducted from the 
monies collected from the employee or member that are due the creditor.
    The fee will be charged for each garnishment order or involuntary 
allotment served and processed to payment. Thus, each time the 
Department of Defense is served with, and honors, an order to garnish 
an employee's salary, or an application for an involuntary allotment 
for the above referenced debts, the Department of Defense will deduct 
the $75.00 fee. Although administrative costs are incurred for each pay 
period for which a garnishment or involuntary allotment is in effect, 
no additional fee will be charged to cover those costs.
    The fee will be deducted at the time the garnishment or involuntary 
allotment is first instituted. It will be subtracted from the judgment 
amount.
    The fee does not apply to garnishment for child support or alimony 
under Title 42 of the United States Code, Section 659.

    Dated: October 8, 1996.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 96-26230 Filed 10-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M