Make benefit debt deductions from an employee's pay

How it works

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you if you need to make Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA) deductions for an employee.

You’ll need to follow these steps if you get a letter from DWP saying you need to make Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA) deductions for an employee:

Tell your employee that money will be deducted from their pay.
Work out how much to deduct from your employee’s pay.
Check if your employee has other debt orders to pay and if they take priority over DEA.
Take the money from your employee’s pay.
Pay the money to DWP no later than the 19th day of the month following deduction in your payroll.
Continue to make employee deductions and payments to DWP until the debt has been repaid or DWP tells you to stop.

Read the employer’s guide for more information on DEA deductions and payments.

You must keep a record of deductions and tell DWP when an employee leaves your company.

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not make DEA deductions.

Call the employer helpline if you have questions about how to run DEA or pay DWP.

Employer helpline 0800 916 0614
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.30pm
Find out about call charges

This helpline is for DWP deductions only. Contact your employee’s local authority for Housing Benefit deductions.