31 CFR 5.1 - What definitions apply to the regulations in this
part?  prev | next § 5.1 What definitions apply to the
regulations in this part? As used in this part: Administrative
offset or offset means withholding funds payable by the United
States (including funds payable by the United States on behalf
of a State Government) to, or held by the United States for, a
person to satisfy a debt owed by the person. The term
“administrative offset” includes, but is not limited to, the
offset of Federal salary, vendor, retirement, and Social
Security benefit payments. The terms “centralized administrative
offset” and “centralized offset” refer to the process by which
the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service offsets
Federal payments through the Treasury Offset Program.
Administrative wage garnishment means the process by which a
Federal agency orders a non-Federal employer to withhold amounts
from a debtor's wages to satisfy a debt, as authorized by 31
U.S.C. 3720D, 31 CFR 285.11, and this part. Agency