Bankruptcy Notification
Debt collection is stopped once we learn you filed a bankruptcy petition. (There may be exceptions that impact the collection of a debt.)
On this Page:
Federal Bankruptcy law requires that all collection action stop once someone files a bankruptcy case. This page is intended to assist:
- All branches of the military, both active and reserve/guard components who are currently receiving pay from DFAS
- Military Retirees
- Civilian Government Employees of agencies with DFAS serviced payroll. NOTE: In general, if you have a MyPay account for your federal civil service you should notify DFAS of a bankruptcy petition.
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If you’re out-of-service military or civilian personnel who is no longer receiving pay from DFAS, and you received a debt with DFAS, visit Out-of-Service Bankruptcy to notify us of your filing. |
If you’re filing bankruptcy and owe a debt to the military that DFAS is seeking to collect, such as overpayments, advance pay, or travel pay, you should list the following address on your bankruptcy petition to ensure the automatic stay is properly applied:
DFAS Garnishment Law Directorate
Attention: Bankruptcy
P.O. Box 998002
Cleveland, OH 44199-8002
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General Tips for Listing Creditor Addresses:
- Use the "Correspondence Address": If you have received letters regarding the debt, use the address provided for correspondence, not just the payment address.
- Check the Matrix: The court clerk maintains a register of mailing addresses for government units that you can check.
- List Multiple Addresses: If you have both a local office address and a central bankruptcy processing address, list both to ensure notice is received.
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To ensure that all non-support garnishments and debt collections are stopped, a member, employee, or their attorney must send us Notice of Bankruptcy in one of four ways.
Online - The quickest and easiest method is to submit your bankruptcy petition to our secure AskDFAS - Garnishment website.
After submitting your bankruptcy documentation via AskDFAS, a ticket number will be emailed to you for reference. Please keep this ticket number until DFAS acknowledges receipt of bankruptcy documentation.
Fax – Send your information to 877-622-5930. Include the Member/Employee’s Social Security Number (SSN), return phone number, and a return fax number.
Phone – Report your bankruptcy petition toll free at 888-332-7411.
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U.S. Mail – Alternatively, you can submit your bankruptcy petition by mail to the following address:
DFAS Garnishment Law Directorate
Attention: Bankruptcy
P.O. Box 998002
Cleveland, OH 44199-8002
Discover Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our Bankruptcy – FAQ page to find answers to some of the most frequently asked bankruptcy questions.
Page Updated: Aug. 19, 2026