If you've received a Notice of Intent to Initiate Wage Garnishment, you may feel like the decision has already been made. But the truth is — you still have rights. One of the most important is the right to request a hearing.

Whether you believe the debt is incorrect, the amount is inflated, or that garnishment would cause serious financial harm, requesting a hearing gives you a chance to be heard — before money is taken from your paycheck.

How to Request a Hearing

You don’t have to hunt for a special form — it’s usually right there on page 3 of the Notice of Intent you received. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service includes it in the notice for a reason: it’s your legal right touse it.

Here’s how to submit it:
- You can send your request by email, mail, or fax
- Use the contact information listed on the letter
- Try to send it within 15 business days of the mailing date (not the day youreceived or opened it)

Even if you miss the deadline, you can still submit arequest. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service may begin garnishing your wages, butthat action can later be paused depending on the outcome of your hearing.

What to Include in Your Hearing Request

You are not required to write a long explanation, but it'soften helpful to include a short personal letter explaining:
- Why you believe you do not owe the debt
- Why the balance may be wrong
- Or why wage garnishment would cause a serious financial hardship

The hearing request form itself has checkboxes where you canindicate if you're:
- Disputing the existence of the debt
- Disputing the amount of the debt
- Claiming financial hardship — or all three

If you have any documentation to support your claim, ithelps to include it right away. Examples include:
- Canceled checks or payment records
- Letters from the creditor agency confirming resolution or forgiveness
- Financial hardship documents such as proof of income loss, medical expenses,or caregiving responsibilities

If you are claiming financial hardship, be aware that you’llneed to submit detailed documentation of your income, expenses, and financialresponsibilities.

To make this easier, the Bureau of the Fiscal Serviceprovides a Financial Disclosure Statement — a form designed to help you stayorganized and avoid missing anything important.

👉 You can download the blank hearing request form,the financial disclosure statement, and Spanish-language versions here:
https://fiscal.treasury.gov/cross-servicing/awg/awg-individual.html

You can also estimate how much of your paycheck could begarnished using their AWG Calculator.

Quick Prep Checklist

Locate the hearing request form — it’s usually on page 3of your Notice of Intent to Initiate Wage Garnishment
✓ Fill it out completely, including checking the appropriate boxes to explainwhether you're disputing the existence of the debt, disputing the amount,claiming financial hardship — or all three
✔️ Submit the form by email, mail, or fax to the contact listed in the notice
✔️ Try to send it within 15 business days of the mailing date — but even if youmiss the deadline, you can still request a hearing
✔️ Understand the tradeoff — if your request is late, the Bureau of the FiscalService may begin garnishment while your case is under review (for up to 60days, unless a decision is issued sooner)
✔️ Include a short personal letter, if possible, explaining your situation orobjections
✔️ Attach supporting documents that help your case
– Canceled checks
– Letters showing resolution or forgiveness
– Financial hardship documentation (income loss, medical expenses, etc.)
✔️ Watch for a debt packet in the mail from the reviewing department
✔️ Respond within 15 working days of receiving that packet
✔️ Be thorough — if more documentation is needed, the hearing official willrequest it

Section 3 – What Happens After You Submit Your Hearing Request

Once your hearing request is received, the Bureau of theFiscal Service will forward it to the appropriate department for processing.

Depending on the agency that originated the debt:
- Some agencies conduct their own hearings
- Others rely on the Bureau of the Fiscal Service
- Some split responsibilities — the agency may review the existence or amount,while the Bureau of the Fiscal Service handles the hardship portion

If you object to the amount of the debt, you will receive apacket of documents from the reviewing department. This packet outlines:
- How much the agency says you owe
- How that amount was calculated

You will then have 15 working days to respond with evidencethat supports your position. That may include:
- Canceled checks
- Resolution letters
- Hardship documentation

If you’re only claiming financial hardship (and notobjecting to the amount), you may not receive this type of calculation packet —but the reviewing official may still reach out for additional documentation ifneeded.

If your submission is complete, the hearing official canmake a decision without further delay. If more information is needed, they’llcontact you.

Quote Box

“Having the right information matters — but so does havingsomeone in your corner who knows how the system really works.”
— Your Advocate, SBA & Federal Debt Advisory Services

Need Help? We’ve Got You.

📞 Need help reviewing your hearing request ororganizing your documents?
You don’t have to face this process alone. We’ve helped others like you submithearing requests with confidence — and avoid common mistakes that can lead todelays or missed opportunities.
👉 Start with a free 15-minute consultation
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSed_I8QejJSd19_fA1dNOxsG6wer2fqOI5KBq6s0_7fmiHyqA/viewform
Or email: adell@nontaxdebthelp.com

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