Virginia Wage Garnishment Calculator 2026

Virginia follows federal CCPA limits: the maximum garnishment is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week equivalent).

Virginia applies the federal standard, which already provides meaningful protection. The 30× minimum wage rule means lower-income workers keep more of their paycheck. TODO: VALIDATE — verify Virginia has no additional state-level exemptions.

Yes — in Virginia, a creditor who wins a civil lawsuit can garnish your wages for credit card debt, subject to federal CCPA limits (max 25% of disposable earnings). The creditor must first obtain a court judgment; most credit card companies do pursue this if the debt is large enough.

If you receive a wage garnishment notice in Virginia: (1) Review the garnishment order for accuracy — verify the debt amount and that you are the correct debtor. (2) Check if any exemptions apply (e.g., head of household in Florida, general exemptions in TX/PA/NC/SC). (3) Consider negotiating a payment plan with the creditor to stop the garnishment. (4) Consult a Virginia attorney or legal aid society for specific advice. (5) Bankruptcy can provide an immediate automatic stay on most garnishments.

Regardless of state, these income types have strong federal protections: Social Security benefits (exempt from consumer debt garnishment), SSI (fully exempt), Veterans benefits (fully exempt), federal student loan disbursements (exempt), and most public assistance. State rules may provide additional exemptions for pensions, disability payments, and other income types. TODO: VALIDATE Virginia-specific exemptions via official sources.