Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments cannot be levied against to pay support payments.
When a parent fails to pay court ordered child support, his/her income may be garnished. In addition, since social security is based upon “ renumeration for employment, it too may be attached. However, because SSI payments are payments are made to assist those unable to work because of age, blindness or disability, they cannot be garnished to pay child support.
The Court of Appeals stated:
The purpose of the SSI program is to provide assistance to those who are unable due to disability to earn a paycheck. Far from bing “renumeration for employment, SSI benefits are assistance for those who cannot shoulder employment.