Up 22. Can Social Security benefits be garnished for child support obligations?
Social Security benefits are not assigned to a wage earner until his retirement or death therefore, these funds cannot be released ahead of time to provide support payments to a child whose parent is not fulfilling a child support obligation. However, once the benefits are assigned, the Social Security Administration must honor an order of garnishment issued by a court or other proper jurisdiction. Under the Social Security Act, social security benefits may be garnished when an action is brought to enforce a legal obligation which the beneficiary has to provide child support or alimony payments. Additionally, a garnishment can be placed against a beneficiary’s social security check once the child has passed the age of 18. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits cannot be garnished for child support. However, a judge might consider the income from SSI when setting child support. For more information about this, you can check the Social Security Administration site at: http://www.
