The Social Security Act protects Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits from garnishment and the claims of judgment creditors. Unfortunately, many creditors nevertheless, sought to garnish or attach the accounts which resulted in the banks temporarily putting a freeze on the accounts. As a result, a beneficiary did not have access to their funds until they contested the garnishment order in court. This often resulted in an inability to access the benefits for several months. New rules have now been passed by the Social Security Administration to protect the account from garnishment (other than for child support or federal debts).