May hazardous duty payments made to Federal civilian employees be garnished for child support enforcement?
RESPONSE: Yes. Hazardous duty payments for the personal service of a Federal civilian employee obligor may be garnished to satisfy child support obligations. The regulations at 5 CFR Part 581 implement the procedures for the processing of garnishments for child support and/or alimony for Federal Government employees and members of the uniformed services of the United States. Section 581.103(a)(8) specifically provides that hazardous duty pay is subject to garnishment. As a result of search and recovery efforts from hurricanes such as Katrina, Rita and Wilma, there may be Federal civilian employees who are deployed to disaster-affected areas. Some of these employees may be deployed to areas to perform duties that may cause them to be exposed to hazardous agents. If the agency which employs them authorizes hazardous pay differentials, those payments may be garnished for child support purposes. Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate ACF Regional Offices.
