Federal Garnishment

The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) helps families in Ontario receive the support they are entitled to by enforcing court-ordered support payments.

When support payments fall behind, the FRO has the authority to take enforcement action. If other enforcement actions have been unsuccessful, or if the support payor's income is from federal funds, the FRO may issue a federal garnishment. A federal garnishment requires the federal government to deduct support payments from money it owes to the support payor.

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What federal funds can be garnished?

Federal funds that can be garnished include:

• Income Tax Refunds
• GST Rebates
• Employment Insurance
• Federal Training Allowances
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security Payments
• Interest on Bank of Canada Savings Bonds.

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How much money will be garnished?

The federal government may garnish up to 50% of any income type funds, including Employment Insurance, or 100% of Income Tax or GST rebates.

The federal government may garnish up to:

• 50 per cent of any income type funds, including Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan benefits
• 100 per cent of Income Tax rebates, GST rebates and interest on Bank of Canada Savings Bonds.

The federal government charges the support payor a fee of $38.00 for each year that the federal support deduction notice remains active.

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Why would the FRO issue a federal garnishment?

Federal monies are considered income under the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, and are subject to garnishment.

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What if the support payor's financial circumstances have changed and they are not able to pay off the arrears and ongoing support?

The FRO cannot change an existing court order. If circumstances have changed and the support payor is having difficulty making support payments, the support payor may go back to court to have the support order changed.

For more information on changing a support order, please see the FRO Fact Sheet - Changing Support Orders.

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What happens if the support payor pays the arrears now and falls into arrears again at a later date?

The FRO will continue to monitor the case to ensure that the support payor is meeting the terms in the support order. If the support payor falls behind in support payments, the FRO will review the case to determine what enforcement action is necessary.

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Can I withdraw from the program?

Yes. The recipient and the payor must agree in writing to withdraw from the program by sending the FRO a completed Notice of Withdrawal form. If the case is in arrears, the recipient may withdraw without the payor's consent. If the support order is assigned, the appropriate social assistance delivery agent must also agree to withdraw. If the assigned social assistance delivery agent is owed arrears, the support payor and support recipient may withdraw but the FRO will continue to enforce for support owed to the delivery agent.

A fee of $50 will be charged to both the support recipient and the support payor if they want to re-open a closed case and re-register with the FRO at a later date.

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Where can I get more information?

TTY: 1-866-545-0083

24-Hour Automated Information Line: 416-326-1818 or toll-free at 1-800-267-7263
for general information about the FRO and recent transactions on your case.

Customer Service Unit: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for general inquiries such as payment information, to update your address or to request forms. Call Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enforcement Call Centre: 416-326-1817 or toll-free at 1-800-267-4330
for specific enforcement information. Call Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.