Can my Social Security benefits be garnished or levied?

Social Security is required to withhold money from benefits when the court sends us a garnishment court order. If you have questions about a garnishment deduction, please contact the court that made the decision. If the court updates the garnishment order, they will send Social Security an updated order. We do not make retroactive adjustments.

If you have questions about a levy for overdue tax debts, visit the Internal Revenue Service or IRS website at www.irs.gov/payments/get-help-with-tax-debt or call them at 1-800-829-7560.

If you have questions about a levy for delinquent non-tax debts, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury website at www.fiscal.treasury.gov/top/contact.html or call them at 1-800-304-3107.

Garnishment and Levy Laws

Section 459 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659) permits Social Security to withhold current and continuing Social Security payments to enforce your legal obligation to pay child support, alimony, or restitution.

Section 1024 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-30) authorizes the IRS to levy up to 15% of each Social Security payment for overdue Federal tax debts until the tax debt is paid.

The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134) allows the Treasury to withhold Social Security benefits to collect delinquent non-tax debts owed to other federal agencies.