Guides › Public Services › Attachment of Earnings Order: Money Taken From Your Wages
Attachment of Earnings Order: Money Taken from Your Wages
An attachment of earnings order tells your employer to take money from your wages each pay day and send it to pay a debt. A creditor can only apply after getting a county court judgment against you, and not if you owe less than £50 or are self-employed or unemployed. If you get form N56, return it by the deadline. If the payments are too high, you can ask the court to change them.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
How It Works
Who Can Apply
A creditor with a county court judgment. They cannot apply if you owe less than £50, or if you are self-employed, unemployed or in the armed forces. Council tax and child maintenance have their own rules. source
Form N56
Return the reply form before the deadline. Not replying, or giving false information, is a criminal offence. You can ask for a suspended order if it would cause hardship. source
Changing It
Apply to the court on form N244 explaining why you cannot afford it. There is a fee, but you may get help with fees. If you change jobs, tell the court within 7 days. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 7 daysTell the court about a new jobIf you have an order
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Contact the creditor straight away to offer a payment plan.
Step 2 of 4
Fill in and return form N56 on time, with your full budget.
Step 3 of 4
Ask for a suspended order if payments would cause hardship.
Step 4 of 4
Apply on form N244 if the amount is too high.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Free Debt Advice (MoneyHelper)
Find free, confidential debt advice near you or online.
Citizens Advice or National Debtline
Free debt advice. They can also ask bailiffs for more time on your behalf.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
These rules are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different debt and enforcement rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.