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Back rent owed landlord and social security benefits

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 09:20
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So my landlord sued me for back rent and won $2,100 but I'm still in the apartment and have no intention of leaving. What I've been told by friends is that it's illegal for creditors like my landlord to go after a persons social security disability payments so he can't do that. As far as I'm concerned I'll pay him some amount of rent when I get it but not before. I don't have much money and I only get so much per month. Will he still be able to get me out of my home?

‹ Denied SSDI because my mother and father give me money? I really did it this time: I messed up big time on my SSDI application (ADL's, pain report, job report) ›

creditors and SSDI

Submitted by The Editor on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:42.

Oh boy.  Yes.  Being on Social Security does not excuse you from having to pay rent.  The general rule is that creditors cannot take your social security benefits to satisfy a debt. However, the creditor can attempt to collect the debt from other sources of income or by attaching any assets you own.  In any case, if you do not pay your rent, you can be evicted.  I'm assuming that when your landlord got his judgment he also got a judgment for possession of the unit in which you live.  That means he can have a constable evict you from the unit.  You need to stop listening to your friends and start dealing with the landlord.  Good luck.

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