Can you garnish Social Security disability benefits for child support

My daughter may go to live with her father she is 12. I have been disabled since 1997 and on social security benefits only as my husband works I'm not eligible nor have ever taken the ssdi. My question is, how is my child support figured out as far as what I pay? The court facilitator told me I have to include the auxilery benefits. How can I do this if she is not living with me I'm assuming I am no longer entitled to the auxilery benefits and only my benefit should be in that child support calculation. Which is true?

Social Security has some information about applying for benefits while outside the United States:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/hlp/isba/10/hlp-isba-add.htm
In the Philippines, SSA says to contact your Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) 1131 Roxas Boulevard Manila, Philippines

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/foreign/index.html provides a list of foreign SSA offices.

One of these should help you answer your question.

I understand you sentiment. Social Security is a complicated system. Many people ask me why it has to be so hard to get disability benefits.

However, as a lawyer helping people get their Social Security benefits, your comment strikes a cord with me. Lawyers try to help people navigate the Social Security system and take the burden off them.

Ultimately, no one has to hire a lawyer on their Social Security case. In this this country, anyone can represent themselves in most legal proceedings.

Compared to the cost of most legal services, hiring a lawyer on a Social Security case has low fees and strongly regulated to protect the public. Social Security limits fees to 25% of back benefits (and nothing of the ongoing/future benefits), the percentage is further capped at $6k. Compare this to the price of a divorce, DUI, will, just about anything. Most other legal services start at north of $150/hr or at a 33% or higher contingency.

Of course, the system could be easier (and certainly faster). We’re just trying to help give our clients the best chance possible while we wait for the decision.

Thanks for reading Tom!

I am not going to touch whether it is “legal” or not. Your son can contact SSA if he disputes the change and they can review what remedy he has (if any).

However, you seem to suggest that your son keeps 100% of the girls’ benefits, yet pays for the girls’ expense when they are with him (50% of the time), or when his ex “asks him for money.” If that is the case, I can see why she might want to change the arrangement and stop having to “ask him for money” when the girls are with her (the other 50% of the time). If this is accurate, it might raise issues with whether the girls’ benefits are being used properly.

Of course, this may not be an accurate picture. I understand that one thing about divorces and post-divorce relationships is that they are anything but simple.

All I can say is that I cannot answer the question. SSA can discuss the options in a situation like this.

Hello, My legally blind adult brother is on SSI. He has been for over 10 years. About a year ago the state of Oregon has garnished his SSI check for child support. They take out $279 per month. They forward $79.00 to his ex girlfriend and send my brother back a check $100 each month. This just doesnt sound right to me. He has called the social security office repeatedly and is told that there isnt anything they can do about it. He has called the state of Oregons child support department and they say there isnt anything to be done either. My brother lives in California. He isnt oppossed to paying his child support obligation but he cant afford to pay his rent any longer. What or who should I contact to try to get this straightened out? Any direction or advise would be GREATLY appreciated!  thank you

You can give Social Security a call. 

If you would like to check what your grandson’s benefits should be, try Social Security Advice Online. They are a national company made up of former Social Security managers. Note: this is a private company not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. You can reach them at http://socialsecurityadviceonline.com and (513) 860-5924 , (513) 779-7439. 

my ex husband will be receiving SSI very soon… he owes me $20,000 in back child support, plus he does not pay his monthly assigned support.. I have our 12 year old son 100% of the time, my son does not even want to go for a visit…BTW we live in California… My ex husband says once he gets his SSI, he will no longer owe me any child support….he also says the court will not garnish his wages…my ex says he is having my sons benefits put in a trust fund that our son can not have access to till he reaches the age of 25… I have an attorney, I just have not seen her yet… but i do have child support orders, and he does owe me $20,000… once he gets his first lump sum back payment check, will it be able to be garnished for the money he owes….he again pays no current support, hasnt for a long time…my ex tells me, that i am up a creek and he will owe me nothing… is this true?