Disability and debt collectors?

by Lisa
(Clearwater, FL)

My mother has a bill in collections and she is on Social Security Disability. Does this collection company have the right to collect on this debt?

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Apr 13, 2010
 Social Security Disability and debt collection
by: Gerri

Lisa,

Thanks for submitting your debt collection question on our Q&A page.

Your about two different issues here. I think your main question is whether debt collectors can go after your mother's Social Security disability income to collect the debt she owes. In most cases, for most types of debts (but not all), that income is protected. However, if that money ends up in a bank account with other funds it is possible it could be at risk.

The second issue is whether the collector has the right to collect this debt from your mother. That will depend on whether she actually owes the debt, the amount is correct, and whether the statute of limitations has expired, etc.

These are all issues that we discuss in our e-book Debt Collection Answers. I would encourage you to read the first chapter of Debt Collection Answers online for free.

I would also really encourage you to set up
a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney with your mother. Explain to her that even if she doesn't want to file, the attorney can help her understand what property, income or assets maybe it risk if she can't pay this bill.

Please let us know how this turns out for your mother.

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