Social Security benefits exempt from levy, garnishment
For your information about Social Security Benfits
Safe from Garnishment
Federal law makes Social Security benifits exempt from levy, garnishment, and assignment- 42 USC 407(a) states. "In general the right of any future payments under this sub chapter SHALL NOT be Transferable or assignable. AND NONE of the moneys paid or payable or rights existing under this subchapter shall be subject to execution, levey, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law".
This means that even if a creditor or debt attorney, collection agency has a judgement against you they CAN NOT garnish your SS payments nor can they take the money from you after it has been paid to you; for example, the portion of your bank account that is attributable to your SS benifits is EXEMPT from LEVY OR ATTACHMENT.
Comment on go-ask-mom's post
This is an extremely useful comment by go-ask-mom but it has one statement that is not correct. There is no need to segregate Social Security benefits in a separate account. It is necessary for you to identify the Social Security funds in any account to protect them but they didn't be placed in a distinct account. Make a photocopy of your Social Security check and deposit that check by itself. Keep the receipt from the bank.