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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

COVID-19-Related Financial Assistance Exempt from Garnishment

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order prohibiting debt collectors from garnishing any financial assistance made available to an individual under the CARES Act (such as 2020 Recovery Rebates for Individuals), and any other federal, state, or local government financial assistance provided to individuals in express response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If any garnishment that would not be allowed under this order has already occurred, the garnishment must be promptly refunded without any need for action by the individual who was garnished. The prohibition applies retroactively (i.e., garnishments taken prior to the issuance of the executive order must be returned).

Government or Lead Agency

Office of the Governor of California

Dates Available

Currently available and retroactively applicable to garnishment of CARES Act payments or other applicable COVID-19 aid payments, regardless of when payments were issued.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

To be eligible for relief from garnishment, you must have received qualifying aid under the CARES Act (such as 2020 Recovery Rebates for Individuals), or any other federal, state, or local government financial assistance made available to individuals in express response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exemption from garnishment does not apply to child support, spousal support, or family support, or any criminal restitution payable to victims.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

For more information, call the Office of the Governor at (916) 445-2841 or email here.

List of Additional Information

For the press release announcing the order, see here.

For press coverage of the order, see here.

For Executive Order N-57-20, see here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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