Wage Garnishment in New Hampshire

New Hampshire: 50× Multiplier Plus No Continuous Garnishment

New Hampshire matches Nevada for the highest exemption multiplier in the United States at 50× the federal minimum wage. Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 512:21, this protects $362.50 per week from creditor garnishment — nearly double the $217.50/week floor under the federal baseline.

The Formula

New Hampshire follows the standard CCPA framework (lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount above the 50× exemption):

• Worker earning $500/week disposable: min($125 cap, $500 − $362.50 = $137.50) = $125 garnishable (still limited by the 25% cap)
• Worker earning $400/week disposable: min($100 cap, $400 − $362.50 = $37.50) = $37.50 garnishable (the enhanced multiplier kicks in)

Critical Protection: No Continuous Garnishment

New Hampshire has a unique rule not found in most other states: continuous garnishment of post-order wages is not permitted. Only wages earned BEFORE the garnishment order was served are subject to garnishment — ongoing, future wages are exempt. This makes New Hampshire one of the most debtor-friendly states in practice, despite not being a complete-ban state.

The Minimum Wage Paradox

New Hampshire’s $7.25 state minimum wage creates an unusual situation: the garnishment exemption is among the most generous in the country, but the underlying wage floor is the lowest in New England. A full-time minimum-wage worker earns just $290/week — entirely below the $362.50 protected floor, meaning $0 in garnishment. But the low wage itself is the issue, not a policy win.

New England Comparison

Within New England, Massachusetts protects 85% of gross wages, Maine and Connecticut use 40× multipliers with state minimum wage, and Rhode Island and Vermont follow the federal default. New Hampshire’s 50× multiplier is the strongest in the region by that metric, and the no-continuous-garnishment rule provides additional protection not available elsewhere in New England.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 512:21; 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — Official source

This calculator is for consumer debt garnishment only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by debt type (student loans, child support, taxes). Verify with official sources before making any financial or legal decisions.