Are veterans benefits exempt from garnishment?
Jackson Reed
Updated on February 12, 2026
If a veteran has not waived their military retired pay, then VA benefits cannot be garnished at all. Whether the veteran has other sources of income (if VA disability compensation is the veteran’s only source of income, credit debts, medical debts, student loans, and taxes cannot be garnished)
Can VA disability be garnished for credit card debt?
Federal Debt. VA benefits cannot be garnished to repay consumer debt, such as a past due credit card bill or a personal loan. Benefits also cannot be garnished to repay past due federal student loan debt or be included in bankruptcy proceedings.
Can credit card companies garnish disability checks?
Social Security Disability Insurance Fortunately, SSDI benefits cannot be garnished by creditors, including credit card companies, mortgage lenders, or auto financing companies, to satisfy a debt. However, these types of disability benefits can be garnished by the federal government.
Can VA disability be garnished by the IRS?
If you have unpaid federal taxes, the IRS may garnish your paychecks, levy your bank accounts or attempt to collect in other ways. However, according to federal law, the IRS cannot levy VA disability compensation, nor can they levy any government check you receive as public assistance, such as a VA pension.
Can the IRS take your VA disability check?
By law, the IRS cannot levy VA disability benefits or any government checks you receive as public assistance (i.e. VA pension).
Can creditors take my VA disability?
Generally no, debt collectors can’t take your Social Security or VA benefits directly out of your bank account or prepaid card. This is called a “garnishment.” A U.S. Department of Treasury rule requires banks to. There are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below.
Can a credit card be garnished for VA benefits?
Consumer vs. Federal Debt. VA benefits cannot be garnished to repay consumer debt, such as a past due credit card bill or a personal loan. Benefits also cannot be garnished to repay past due federal student loan debt or be included in bankruptcy proceedings.
Can a credit card company garnish your social security?
Understand the rules that protect Social Security income benefits from garnishment. Getting behind in your credit card payments is troubling, especially with the knowledge that you can be sued by a credit card company to be repaid.
Can a debt collector take my social security or VA benefits?
Generally no, debt collectors can’t take your Social Security or VA benefits directly out of your bank account or prepaid card. After a debt collector sues you for the debt and wins a judgment, it can get a court order for your bank or credit union to turn over money from your account or prepaid card. This is called a “ garnishment.”
Can a VA benefit be garnished for alimony?
Exceptions to the Garnishment Rule. Four exceptions can protect VA benefits from being garnished for past due child support and alimony. These include: Proving that the garnishment would cause you an undue financial hardship. Your ex-spouse or child has not filed an apportionment request to claim your benefits.