WEPP and Family Support Orders or Agreements

Can my WEPP payment be affected by a Family Support Order or Agreement?

Yes, if you do not pay your support set out in a family support order or agreement, some or all of your WEPP payments may be redirected by garnishment.

What is a garnishment?

A garnishment is the lawful interception of money owed by a third party (for example the federal government) to the person who is in default of a debt, such as family support payments. The intercepted monies are transferred to the person to whom the debt is owed (for example a former partner/spouse or child/children).

What is a Family Support Order or Agreement garnishment?

A Family Support Order or Agreement garnishment is started by:

1. someone who receives support or
2. by someone else on that person’s behalf (often by provincial or territorial authorities) in order to intercept federal payments (such as Employment Insurance benefits, income tax refunds, and Canada Pension Plan payments) going to persons who have family support obligations but who have not met these obligations.

Your WEPP payments could be garnished if the Federal Department of Justice is required by law to intercept your payment. This law is named the Family Orders and Agreement Enforcement Assistance Act.

Please visit the Provincial and Territorial Family Maintenance Enforcement Programs page of the Department of Justice's Web site for more information.

You can also call the Automated Information System:
Toll-free: 1-800-267-7777
TTY: 1-800-267-7676