Debt and Disability Payments
When you're in debt, it's good to know that disability benefits aren't treated like ordinary income for the purposes of debt collection. Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and SSI disability payments enjoy some protection from creditors, but SSDI can be taken to pay certain types of debts. On the other hand, some types of debts can be forgiven if you become disabled. Social Security disability benefits are also given special treatment in bankruptcy.
When a person becomes disabled and can no longer work, it can become difficult to meet financial obligations, such as child support payments.
Learn whether being on disability could get you out of paying student loans.
Overpayments occur when Social Security pays an individual more disability, retirement, or dependents benefits than he or she was due, often because a one's income, resources, marital status, or li
Most debtors need their disability payments to live on while they are unable to work. Because of this, in most cases your disability payments are protected in Chapter 7 bankruptcy -- meaning the bankruptcy trustee cannot take them.
Are Social Security and unemployment income counted in the bankruptcy means test?
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
Find plain-English definitions for legal terms by browsing Nolo's Law Dictionary.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices