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www.justice.gc.ca
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The Department of Justice Canada works to reduce family violence in Canada. Learn more...
IF YOUR FEDERAL PAYMENT*
HAS BEEN REDUCED...
Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance
If you have missed some Family Support payments, a court or provincial/territorial enforcement program may have sent the Federal Department of Justice
A GARNISHEE SUMMONS.
When this happens, the Federal Department of Justice Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Unit (FOAEA Unit) is required by law to
INTERCEPT YOUR PAYMENT.
The FOAEA Unit will deduct the amount required under the garnishee summons from your payment and send that amount to the court or program that issued the Garnishee Summons. A cumulative once-a-year Federal Government administration fee may also be deducted and
ANY AMOUNT REMAINING WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD NORMALLY SEND YOU THE PAYMENT.
For further information about this action call the FOAEA Unit's
Automated Information System at this toll-free number
1-800-267-7777
1-800-267-7676 (hearing impaired)
Be sure to have these two numbers handy when you call:
• your social insurance number,
and
• your Department of Justice Reference Number[†]
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I get more information on the status of my payment?
The only place to get further information on the status of the amount garnisheed is through the Automated Information System.
Call 1-800-267-7777,
1-800-267-7676 for the hearing impaired.
What information will the Automated Information System give me?
You can receive the following information from the Automated Information System:
- Justice reference number (if unknown)
- status of the garnishment
- financial terms of the garnishment
- details of the garnishment
- name, address and telephone number of the enforcement program
- a statement of payments garnisheed.
When will I receive the amount remaining of the payment?
If you are the debtor, your amount, less any administrative fees, will be mailed to you by the Federal Department THAT NORMALLY SENDS YOU THE PAYMENT. For more information on the timing as to when you should receive this payment, check the General Information Section of the Automated Information System.
How can I find out about the Garnishment Summons?
Get in touch with the court or provincial/territorial enforcement program that issued the Garnishee Summons. You can obtain the address and phone number from the Automated Information System.
Who is a Judgment Debtor? A Judgment Creditor?
Under the Garnishee Summons, a Judgment Debtor is a person who must pay family support payments. A Judgment Creditor is the person who receives the payments.
Can I, as a Judgment Creditor, find out about my payments?
No. As a Judgment Creditor, you can call the Automated Information System number and be advised of whether a garnishment has been issued on your behalf. You will require your Provincial/Territorial Enforcement Program account or case number to access the information.
