8 - DOJ PC TOP Policy Statement.pdf

This document is a U.S. Department of Justice Policy Statement (1400.03) detailing the Treasury Offset Program (TOP), a centralized offset program administered by the Department of the Treasury to collect delinquent non-tax debts owed to federal agencies and states. The policy establishes procedures for Private Counsel Offices under contract with the Department of Justice for debt collection services, requiring them to refer post-judgment civil debts to the Treasury Offset Program.

Key details include the policy's scope covering Private Counsel Offices under Department of Justice contract and oversight of United States Attorneys' Offices. The document outlines debt eligibility criteria, including referring debts 60 days after a Notice of Intent is sent to the debtor. TOP offsets can include income tax refunds, salary, travel advances, retirement payments, and some Social Security benefits. The policy specifies certain debts that are not referrable to TOP, such as debts paid in full, debts under $25, debts in foreclosure, and debts with unselected bankruptcy causes of action. The document also includes extensive appendices detailing payments exempt from offset by various federal agencies and system codes for debt collection.