Garnish SS benefits

by Belinda
(Bloomington, Il. 61701)

Illinois Public Aid said I owed them money for an over- payment from over 20 yrs ago. I appealed it and was waiting for my hearing, and then received a letter that this debt has been turned over to collection agency.
My question: "Now that IDHS has turned it over to a collection agency, can they still garnish my Social Security benefits?"

Comments for Garnish SS benefits

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Nov 22, 2010
 Garnishment of SS Benefits
by: Mary

Ordinarily, Social Security benefits cannot be garnished by a debt collector, although there are some exceptions. However, I am not familiar with Illinois Public Aid and don't know the specifics of the assistance you received from that department and the terms of the assistance so I cannot tell you whether or not your situation would be one of those exceptions.

Therefore, I recommend that you consult with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers resolve debt collection problems. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.

It may be that if the debt collector is threatening to take your Social Security benefits and the agency is legally not entitled to do so that the collector is violating the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and you may have the basis for legal action against that agency.

Good luck resolving your problem.
Jan 03, 2011
 Thanks
by: Belinda

Thank you for taking time to answer my question.

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