A Note On Coronavirus Stimulus Checks And Child Support

April 17, 2020 • By Liz Billies

Coronavirus stimulus checks can be seized for back child support. The same rules that apply to the garnishment of IRS tax refunds for back child support apply to the coronavirus stimulus checks.

In other words, if you owe back child support your Coronavirus Stimulus Check may be garnished. This also includes the Coronavirus Stimulus checks that you may receive for any of the dependents that you claim. The threshold for eligibility for garnishment is $500 owed in back support and previous identification for IRS refund interception.

Didn’t get your stimulus monies and wonder if it was garnished? Check with the Domestic Relations Office that handles your case or, if available, your Pennsylvania child support online account to see if your monies were seized. Or, if you don’t mind waiting, you will likely receive documentation from the government or the Domestic Relations Office indicating that the monies were taken.

Think you are out of the woods or want to prevent seizure of your monies? Remember, not all coronavirus stimulus checks have been sent out. So, this process will likely be going on until September.

If you are worried about losing your coronavirus stimulus check the best thing you can do is pay your child support as soon as possible. There is no other way to “opt out” of this program. Your Pennsylvania child support online account should show what back support is owed and when the last payment was received. Worried this might happen to you? Or, are you owed back support and hope to get your co-parent's coronavirus stimulus check? Our family law attorneys are ready to answer your questions.