A common tactic used by creditors attempting to collect money from you here in New Jersey is to attach your wages, which essentially forces you to make a payment to them out of every pay check. This, along with a bank levy, are the two most commonly used tools in a creditor's toolbox.
That is, of course, if you have a job. But what if you have been laid off? A lot of people have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but still worry that creditors will come after them. Are their unemployment benefits safe?
Can a NJ Creditor Garnish my Unemployment Check?
The short answer is no. There are certain streams of income that cannot be attached, and unemployment benefits are one of them. Others include:
- Social Security benefits
- VA benefits
- Pension Money (other than IRA or 401k withdrawals)
- Child support, etc.
If any of these is a source of your income, then that income is safe.
So What Do I Do?
Fortunately, there is no mechanism to garnish unemployment. A creditor can't just serve an execution writ on the New Jersey Department of Labor. But that doesn't mean that you should feel safe and do nothing. If a creditor has a judgment against you, they will eventually find a way to force payment from you.
You want payment to be on your terms, not theirs.
Reach out to the creditor's attorney to negotiate an affordable payment plan. Getting the debt under control will certainly make your life much easier and eliminate the stress. As a former creditor's attorney I have helped many people deal with situations like this by negotiating on their behalf.
If you want more information on how to fight back with your creditors, download my free book, The Biggest Secrets Your Creditors Don't Want You to Know. Become empowered and protect your rights!
Are you a visual learner rather than a reader? Do you enjoy watching YouTube to learn new things? Then check out my 3-part video series on how creditors use lawsuits in New Jersey to collect debts. Just click here for more information on how to get the links!
Need Help Making a Deal?
If you live in New Jersey, owe at least $10,000 to a creditor, know you need help, and are ready to take action, then just click this link to schedule a call with me to discuss your case. You don't want to wait until they have seized some of your assets and make matters worse!
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