How to Garnish Social Security Benefits for Back Child Support
Parents who receive Social Security benefits are still responsible for paying child support.
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If a family court orders a child's parent to pay child support, he is required to follow the court order or risk a contempt of court charge. Most government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or unemployment compensation, are exempt from garnishments by regular creditors, but the government allows the garnishment of Social Security benefits for child support. If the other parent is behind in child support and receives Social Security benefits, you can request the court to garnish his benefits to pay for any back and current child support obligation.
Locate the original child support order. If the court established a support order during a divorce, you can find this information in the divorce decree. If you were not married to the child's parent, the court should have provided you with an order for support.
Step 2Determine approximately how much your child's other parent is behind in child support. The child support order should outline the terms of the support, including an amount and duration, which might be weekly, biweekly or monthly. For example, if the other parent must pay $100 in child support every week and has not paid support in six months, she is behind $2,600, or 26 weeks multiplied by $100.
Step 3Contact the court that originally ordered the child support and ask about filing a motion for contempt. Explain that the other parent is behind in support and provide the estimated amount of arrears. The court will set up a formal court hearing. Some courts might allow you to request a hearing over the phone or through the mail. Ask about the proper procedure for your state or county.
Step 4Appear at the court hearing and provide the arrearage amount to the court. If child support payments are paid through the clerk of courts, the court should have records of this information, but you should come prepared.
Step 5Request a judgment for garnishment. The judge will ask about the other parent's Social Security benefits and order the garnishment.
Step 6File the judgment for garnishment with the Social Security Administration if the court does not file for you. Send the order by certified mail to: General Counsel, Social Security Administration Room 611, Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235
References
- Virginia Legal Aid Society: Garnishment -- What Types of Money Cannot Be Garnished?
- California Courts: Child Support
- District Court of Maryland: Wage Garnishment -- What Are the Steps?
- Social Security Administration: Code of Federal Regulations -- Section 423.3
- Office of Child Support Enforcement: Garnishment of Federal Payments for Child Support
Tips
- SSI benefits are not subject to garnishment for child support.
Writer Bio
Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. She has contributed to several websites and serves as the lead content editor for a construction-related website. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. She has owned and operated her own income tax-preparation business since 2006.