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Question: Bankruptcy - Pennsylvania

Asked on 11/4/2009

I would like to know if Social Security Disability can be considered income from a debt collector.


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Answers (2):

B. B., Member in Good Standing of the New Jersey Bar


Your Social Security Disability payments aren't income, in the sense that the payments themselves aren't subject to attachment like an ordinary paycheck.  However, once the money is in a bank account in your name, a judgment creditor can attach the money, and take it to be applied against the judgment balance and interest.  Of course, you're under no legal obligation to keep the money in the bank, once you receive it.



  • Answered on 11/4/2009
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M.D., Member in Good Standing of the California and New York Bar


If you are on SSD, your income is protected from creditor claims.  There is not much that you can do in advance of a levy (garnishement) other than depsoit the funds into an account not in your name or go to a check cashing establishment and have your checks cashed without putting the funds into bank account.  Remember, you would need you to contact the Social Security Administration to have your check mailed directly to you and not automatically deposited into your bank account.

If your bank account is frozen and the money init is seized, you can notify the court and sheriff that the levied funds in your checking account are Social Security funds and thus exempt.  The judge, clerk or creditor is not responsible to determine whether you have exempt or nonexempt funds in your checking account.  You are required to complete the appropriate paperwork to protect these funds.  Typically, you have to complete a one-page document and file that document with the court.  So long as this document is filed before the sheriff sends the funds to the creditor, you will be able to recoup your money.

As far as the banks are concerned, they must comply with legal process and court orders served on them.  Failure to so comply could render the bank responsible for the underlying debt.  Additionally, they are not legally obligated to determine the status of funds held in one of their accounts.  Since they handle thousands of bank levies per year, it would be too expensive and/or difficult to protect customers' funds while minimizing their legal exposure.

Note:  As to any non-exempt funds in the account, they can be garnished.



  • Answered on 11/4/2009
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