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Garnishments - Standard Processing

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Procedure Updated: 
10/24/2022

Use these procedures to create, maintain, adjust, and release employee garnishments on the Garnishment Document (0194), Garnishment Order (0195), or the Garnishment Adjustment (0216) infotypes.

Garnishment Process Overview:

  1. Garnishment is received by the agency.
  2. Garnishment is entered into HRMS with the correct vendor designation.
  3. Funds are sent every payroll to the vendor by way of each vendor’s requested payment model in AFRS.
  4. Adjustment Refunds: Though uncommon, a creditor may send a garnishment refund check directly to your agency. Your agency will need to either:
    1. Deposit funds into Account 035, GL 5199 and create a garnishment refund using the Additional Payment - Create one-time Payment or Deduction procedure with wage type 3100; or
    2. Process an adjustment refund using the Garnishments - Standard Processing - Create Adjustment Refund procedure.

Note: An adjustment refund cannot take place if more than 180 days have passed since the garnishment was last active. If it is outside of the 180 day window, the refund must be processed using the Additional Payment - Create One-time Payment or Deduction procedure with Wage Type 3100.

Tips: 

If an employee transfers to a different agency, it is the losing agency’s responsibility to complete a garnishment that should not transfer to the gaining agency. If you are uncertain, contact the Garnishment Liaison within the Public Records and Constituent Services section at the Office of the Attorney General via the contact information listed below. If it is determined that a garnishment should be completed with the losing agency, follow the Garnishment – Standard Processing – Delimit Garnishment procedure.

Questions on administering a garnishment should be directed to the Public Records and Constituent Services unit at the Attorney General’s Office:

(360)753-9673
publicrecords@atg.wa.gov

For child support purposes, federal law requires employers to report basic information on new and rehired employees to the state where the new employees work. The information is maintained in the National Directory of New Hires, which child support agencies use to locate a parent who owes child support and issue an income withholding order. Additional information is available on the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement website.

OFM acts as the new hire reporting agent for General Government and Higher Education and provides new hire reports as required under RCW 26.23.040. New hire and rehire data are sent to DSHS Division of Child Support every pay period (twice a month). Each agency and institution with employees outside of Washington must register as a multistate employer to comply with federal law and continue centralized reporting. Once registered, agencies and institutions are required to complete an annual update to the Multistate information through the Child Support Portal.