Wage Protections In States
Since 1970, federal law has protected 75 percent of an employee’s paycheck or the equivalent of 30 hours a week at the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater. However, federal law gives states the option of protecting a larger portion of a debtor’s paycheck. Here is a look at how much paycheck protection each state provides according to research by the National Consumer Law Center:
Ban wage garnishment for most debts
Ban wage garnishment for most debts
Preserve 90 percent of the debtor’s wages
Preserve 90 percent of the debtor’s wages
Protect enough wages so that the paycheck does not drop below the poverty level
Protect enough wages so that the paycheck does not drop below the poverty level
Otherwise preserve more of a worker’s wages than the federal minimum
Otherwise preserve more of a worker’s wages than the federal minimum
Protect only the federal minimum
Protect only the federal minimum