If you are a recipient of disability benefits, you are very likely aware that any external income will affect it. However, if you are on disability benefits and are responsible for paying child support, you may also be curious how the child support requirement affects your situation. According to Disability Benefits Help, even if you become disabled and thus receive benefits, you are still responsible for paying child support.
As said above, being on disability does not absolve you of child support if the courts have mandated you pay. In the event that your income has taken a serious nosedive due to your shift to disability, you can certainly request that the court adjust the amount you need to pay per month. Once you provide proof of your new and lowered income, your required child support payments will be adjusted accordingly.
There is a possibility that your disability payments will be garnished depending on the type of disability that you are receiving. For instance, recipients of SSI will not have their benefits garnished as this program is intended for those who have very low income. However, if you are a recipient of SSDI, it is possible that your benefits will be garnished to pay child support.
Additionally, in the event that you are receiving back pay, this back pay may also be garnished to pay your child support if you are receiving disability. The full amount will not be taken from you, but a percentage of it will be.
This blog is intended to educate you on the relationship between disability benefits and child support. It is not intended to be taken as legal advice.