The third stimulus check is not subject to garnishment for child support. This is because the check is considered a tax refund, and tax refunds are not subject to garnishment. However, if you owe back child support, the government may use your tax refund to offset the debt. This means that the government will take the amount of money you owe in back child support out of your tax refund.
Eligibility and Income Thresholds
The third stimulus check, officially known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. The check provides direct payments of up to $1,400 to eligible individuals and $2,800 to married couples who file jointly. Dependent children are also eligible for a payment of $1,400 each.
To be eligible for the third stimulus check, you must meet certain income requirements. The income thresholds are as follows:
- $75,000 for single filers
- $112,500 for heads of household
- $150,000 for married couples who file jointly
If your income exceeds the threshold amount, your payment will be reduced by 5 cents for every dollar you earn over the threshold. The payment is completely phased out for individuals who have income above $80,000, $120,000 for heads of household, and $160,000 for married couples who file jointly.
| Filing Status | Income Threshold | Phase-Out Threshold | Payment Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $75,000 | $80,000 | $1,400 |
| Head of Household | $112,500 | $120,000 | $1,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $150,000 | $160,000 | $2,800 |
Recovery Rebate Credit
The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021, provided for a third stimulus payment, also known as the Recovery Rebate Credit. The legislation specifies that the payment is not considered income for the purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal program that is based on income.
- This means that the payment will not be taken into account when calculating a person’s income for purposes of determining eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and housing assistance.
In addition, the payment is not considered a resource for the purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any federal program that is based on resources.
- This means that the payment will not be counted as an asset when determining a person’s eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.
| Program | Type |
|---|---|
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Income-based |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | Income-based |
| Medicaid | Income-based |
| Housing assistance | Income-based |
Interception for Past-Due Support
The third stimulus check is not exempt from garnishment for past-due child support. The first two stimulus checks were not subject to garnishment, but the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which authorized the third stimulus check, does not include the same exemption. This means that the government can intercept the third stimulus check to satisfy past-due child support obligations.
- The government can intercept the entire amount of the third stimulus check if the amount of past-due child support is greater than or equal to the amount of the check.
- If the amount of past-due child support is less than the amount of the check, the government will intercept only the amount of the check that is necessary to satisfy the past-due support obligation.
- The government will not intercept the third stimulus check if the recipient is not currently obligated to pay child support.
If you are concerned that your third stimulus check may be intercepted for past-due child support, you should contact your local child support office to find out if you have any outstanding obligations.
Impact on Child Support Payments
The third stimulus check, officially known as the Economic Impact Payment (EIP3), may impact child support payments in certain situations. Generally, stimulus checks are not considered income for the purposes of calculating child support. However, there are exceptions to this rule, depending on the specific circumstances.
In some cases, the stimulus check may be considered income if:
- The check is used to pay off child support arrears (past-due payments).
- The check is deposited into a bank account that is used to pay child support.
- The check is used to purchase items or services that are considered “extraordinary expenses” under the child support order.
If the stimulus check is considered income, the amount of child support that is owed may be increased. The specific impact will vary depending on the state in which the child support order was issued and the terms of the order.
| State | Stimulus Check Treatment |
|---|---|
| California | Not considered income, except for cases of arrears or extraordinary expenses. |
| New York | Generally not considered income, but may impact payments if deposited in a child support account. |
| Texas | Not considered income, but may be considered a resource if used to purchase assets. |
It is important to check with the local child support agency to determine how the stimulus check will impact child support payments in a specific case. Parents should also consider consulting with an attorney if they have any questions about the potential impact of the stimulus check on their child support obligations.
Well, there you have it, folks! We hope this article has cleared up any confusion regarding the third stimulus check and child support. Remember, laws and regulations can change over time, so be sure to check with your state’s child support agency for the most up-to-date information. Thanks for sticking with us until the end. Feel free to swing by again soon for more informative and engaging content. Until next time, keep your wallets close and your worries at bay!