---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 C.F.R. § 34.20"
title: "34"
number: "34.20"
heading: "Amount to be withheld under multiple garnishment orders."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/34/34.20"
---

# §34.20. Amount to be withheld under multiple garnishment orders.


If a debtor's pay is subject to several garnishment orders, the employer must comply with our garnishment order as follows:

- (a) Unless other Federal law requires a different priority, the employer must pay us the amount calculated under [§ 34.19(b)](/cfr/34/34.19.md?p=b) before the employer complies with any later garnishment orders, except a family support withholding order.
- (b) If an employer is withholding from a debtor's pay based on a garnishment order served on the employer before our order, or if a withholding order for family support is served on an employer at any time, the employer must comply with our garnishment order by withholding an amount that is the smaller of—
  - (1) The amount calculated under [§ 34.19(b)](/cfr/34/34.19.md?p=b); or
  - (2) An amount equal to 25 percent of the debtor's disposable pay less the amount or amounts withheld under the garnishment order or orders with priority over our order.
- (c)
  - (1) If a debtor owes more than one debt arising from a program we administer, we may issue multiple garnishment orders.
  - (2) The total amount withheld from the debtor's pay for orders we issue under [paragraph (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section does not exceed the amounts specified in the orders, the amount specified in § [34.19(b)(2)](/cfr/34/34.19.md?p=b-2), or [15](/cfr/34/15.md) percent of the debtor's disposable pay, whichever is smallest.
- (d) An employer may withhold and pay an amount greater than that amount in paragraphs [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c) of this section if the debtor gives the employer written consent.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3720D, unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 68 FR 8142, Feb. 19, 2003, unless otherwise noted.