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The Daily Insight Hub

Can Social Security disability payments be garnished?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on February 05, 2026

SSI payments cannot be levied or garnished. Treasury’s Financial Management Service can also offset, or reduce, your Social Security benefits to collect delinquent debts owed to other Federal agencies, such as student loans owed to the Department of Education.

How much can SSDI be garnished?

The maximum amount that can be garnished is 50 percent of your Social Security benefit if you support another child, 60 percent if you don’t support another child, or 65 percent if the support is more than 12 weeks in arrears. These rules do not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Can a creditor garnish your Social Security wages?

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.

Can a creditor garnish your Social Security benefits?

If your sole source of income is Social Security retirement income, disability benefits, or other federal benefits, you’re judgment proof. As a result, a creditor can’t secure a garnishment order or take money from your bank account. Written by Attorney Kassandra Kuehl.

Can a person with a disability be garnished?

People with disabilities who receive SSDI or other disability benefits are generally judgment proof, save for actions taken by specific state or federal agencies to resolve government debts like back taxes and federal student loans.

How much can a creditor garnish your wages?

When a creditor wins the right to garnish your wages, federal and state laws impose a limit to the amount a creditor can deduct from your weekly earnings. Generally, the limit is no more than one-quarter of your disposable income – earnings minus required deductions – or income in excess of 30 times the minimum wage.

Can a credit card company garnish self employed earnings?

However, if you are self-employed, this is not cause to relax. Creditors – whether they are collecting credit card balances, student loans, or some other form of unsecured debt – can still file a claim against personal property or obtain approval for a non-earnings garnishment.