A Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA) lets us recover the money you owe. We do this by asking your employer to make deductions from your earnings and to pay those deductions to us.
It is possible for the council to apply for a DEA when:
- an invoice remains unpaid 30 days after the date that it was issued
- if we are unable to reach an agreement on recovery
Your employer has a legal duty to make the deduction. The amount that can be deducted will depend on the amount of your net earnings each week or month.
Your employer must inform you in writing of the amount of the deduction including any amount for administrative costs.
Deductions will continue until the balance of the debt has been repaid.
The law allows us to do this without applying to a civil court and your employer is legally bound to comply if requested to do so.
Regulations provide that a proportion of your earnings are protected. This is calculated at 60% of net earnings.
The amount your employer will take each time you are paid will depend on the amount of your earnings. It could be up to 20% of your net earnings.
Administrative costs
Your employer may also charge you an administration fee. It will not be more than £1 for each payment taken from your earnings.
For each pay period a DEA deduction is calculated, your employer may also take up to £1 from your earnings towards administrative costs. This can be taken even if it reduces your income below the protected earnings proportion.
Legal responsibilities
You are legally required to notify us in writing within 7 days if:
- you leave your current employment
- you become re-employed
You must include the following information:
- the name and address of your new employer
- the amount of your earnings or expected earnings
- your place of work
- the nature of your work
- any staff number, payroll number or similar identifying number
Help and advice
For independent advice on this matter, can contact a local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Amounts to be deducted by your employer
| Daily earnings | Weekly earnings | Monthly earnings | Percentage of net earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than £15 | Less than £100 | Less than £430 | Nil |
| Between £15 and £23 | Between £100 and £160 | Between £430 and £690 | 3% |
| Between £23 and £32 | Between £160 and £220 | Between £690 and £950 | 5% |
| Between £32 and £39 | Between £220 and £270 | Between £950 and £1,160 | 7% |
| Between £39 and £54 | Between £270 and £375 | Between £1,160 and £1,615 | 11% |
| Between £54 and £75 | Between £375 and £520 | Between £1,615 and £2,240 | 15% |
| More than £75 | More than £520 | More than £2,240 | 20% |
Using the deductions table
Net earnings are gross pay, less income tax, Class 1 National Insurance and superannuation contributions.
The protected earnings level
The total of all deductions (the DEA plus any other deductions in place) cannot leave you with less than the protected earnings proportion. This is 60% of your total net earnings during the calculating period to which the deduction relates.
If you are paid every 2 weeks
If you are paid every 2 weeks, the total net wage is divided by 2. The table is used to check the percentage rate.
If you are paid every 4 weeks
If you are paid every 4 weeks, the total net wage is divided by 4. The table is used to check the percentage rate.