Q: In Puerto Rico can my social security check can be garnished to pay a month of rent if that’s my only income?
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A:
In order to garnish your Social Security benefits, your landlord must first obtain a judgment against you in court. Once the landlord has a judgment, they can then file a garnishment order with the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration will then withhold a portion of your benefits each month and send it to your landlord until the debt is paid in full.
However, there are some limits on how much of your Social Security benefits can be garnished. The Social Security Administration will protect a portion of your benefits from garnishment, so that you have enough money to meet your basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing. The amount of your benefits that is protected from garnishment depends on your age, income, and family size.
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