What Is a Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA), and how do I process one?

A Direct Earnings Attachment (DEA) is a request from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deduct benefit overpayments from an employee’s pay. These requests usually come as a letter with payment instructions.

When processing DEA, you should:

You remain responsible for your business and any actions or omissions of your team members to whom you assign the “Cashier role”. Any transactions initiated by the cashiers and any costs associated with them are binding to your business

• Inform the employee about the upcoming deduction

• Deduct the amount in Tide Payroll 

Go to:  Admin > Payroll > select the current pay period > select an employee > add the DEA amount as a net deduction.

• Send the deducted amount to the DWP, by following the instructions in the letter you received. You must make the payment by the 19th of the month after the deduction.

If the employee leaves before the debt is settled, notify the DWP.

See more details, specifically on benefit debt deduction, here.