Work, Pay & Leave Rights · Surprise rank #63
Debt Collector Froze Your Account? NY Protects 90% of Wages Earned in the Last 60 Days
New York protects major categories of income and a large share of recent wages from ordinary judgment collection, including when protected funds are deposited in a bank account.
Who
New York consumers facing judgment enforcement, bank restraint or garnishment involving protected income.
What to do
Start here: If protected funds are restrained, use the exemption claim process immediately and identify the source of deposits with pay records or benefit statements.
Eligibility: The money must qualify under New York exemption law. Different limits and exceptions can apply to support obligations, government debts and other special claims.
What you get
New York exemption rules keep specified funds beyond the reach of many ordinary judgment creditors.
Benefit: Among other protections, 90% of wages or salary earned in the previous 60 days is exempt from debt collection, along with specified benefit income.
Possible value: Depends on recent wages, account balances and the type of debt.
Good to know
Important: Do not read the 90% figure as a universal rule that only 10% of every paycheck can ever be garnished. Wage garnishment and bank-account exemptions involve different calculations and exceptions.
Availability: Active legal protection
Why people miss it: Bank restraints can make protected wages look unavailable until the consumer affirmatively claims the exemption.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026