Updated: Published revised version of the employers' guides
As an employer, you may be asked to deduct any benefit overpayments an employee owes the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from their pay. This is called a Direct Earnings Attachment.
The employers’ guide explains what you need to do if you’re asked to implement a Direct Earnings Attachment. It tells you:
- how to operate and make payments for a Direct Earnings Attachment
- what your legal responsibilities are
We have also published more detailed guidance for employers and payroll software developers that includes worked examples on how a DWP Direct Earnings Attachment should be operated.
These guides are intended to help you understand the main points about Direct Earnings Attachments. They are not a full description or statement of the law.
More about Direct Earnings Attachments on GOV.UK
Find out more in our guide Make benefit debt deductions from an employee’s pay.
