5 CFR § 1215.28 - Administrative offset.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t5/s1215.28"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "5 CFR § 1215.28 - Administrative offset."
title_number: 5
title_name: "Administrative Personnel"
section_number: "1215.28"
section_name: "Administrative offset."
chapter_name: "MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES"
part_number: "1215"
part_name: "DEBT MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
regulatory_source: "54 FR 50603, Dec. 8, 1989, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 72 FR 56885, Oct. 5, 2007."
cfr_part: "1215"
---
# 1215.28 Administrative offset.
(a) The MSPB may collect debts owed by administrative offset if:
(1) The debt is certain in amount;
(2) Efforts to obtain direct payment have been, or would most likely be unsuccessful, or the MSPB and the debtor agree to the offset;
(3) Offset is cost effective or has significant deterrent value; and
(4) Offset is best suited to further and protect the Government's interest.
(b) The MSPB may offset a debt owed to another Federal agency from amounts due or payable by the MSPB to the debtor or request another Federal agency to offset a debt owed to the MSPB;
(c) Prior to initiating administrative offset, the MSPB will send the debtor written notice of the following:
(1) The nature and amount of the debt and the agency's intention to collect the debt by offset 30 days from the date the notice was mailed if neither payment nor a satisfactory response is received by that date;
(2) The debtor's right to an opportunity to submit a good faith alternative repayment schedule to inspect and copy agency records pertaining to the debt, to request a review of the determination of indebtedness; and to enter into a written agreement to repay the debt; and
(3) The applicable interest.
(d) The MSPB may effect an administrative offset against a payment to be made to a debtor prior to the completion of the procedures required by paragraph (c) of this section if:
(1) Failure of offset would substantially prejudice the Government's ability to collect the debt; and
(2) The time before the payment is to be made does not reasonably permit completion of those procedures.