Can my Social Security disability benefits be garnished for debt?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money Can my Social Security disability benefits be garnished for debt? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht May 21, 2026 / 1:44 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google SSDI benefits come with protections, but those safeguards aren't always as far-reaching as you'd expect. Min Wang/Getty Images The financial strain Americans are facing has intensified in recent months, as rising inflation just keeps pushing the cost of essentials higher. Rent, groceries, insurance premiums and medical expenses have all become more difficult to manage, particularly for those on a fixed income, and that financial pressure is forcing many households to rely more heavily on credit cards just to cover their routine bills. And as borrowing balances continue to climb, so has the pressure that comes with trying to stay current on those accounts.But while that pressure can be intense on the average borrower, it can become especially serious for those who depend on Social Security disability benefits as their primary source of income. In today's landscape, that money likely isn't stretching as far as it once did. As a result, many borrowers are missing payments, which can trigger collection calls, mounting interest charges and, eventually, even wage garnishment. And, when you're already balancing health challenges with limited income, the idea of losing part of a monthly disability check can be extremel...