Debt collectors will not be able to touch your stimulus check under a proclamation signed Tuesday by Gov. Jay Inslee.
The proclamation suspends statutes that allow consumer debts to be collected through bank account and wage garnishments. It also prevents post-judgement interest from accruing on consumer debt judgments during the coronavirus pandemic.
"That stimulus check should help to pay for the necessities – food, rent, that type of thing," said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. "It should not be garnished to pay for medical bills. That would not be right. And we're thankful here in Washington state that's not happening."
However, the garnishment rule is only for consumer debt. For example, if you owe child support, your stimulus will be garnished.
So far Ferguson said he knows of no garnishments that have taken place in Washington.
The CARES Act, which Congress passed last month, doesn't state the payments are exempt from garnishments, including money owed to your bank or creditors.
Twenty-five state attorneys general, including Ferguson, and the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday, asking him to use his authority to set a rule to stop that from happening.
If consumer debt collectors attempt to garnish your stimulus check, the Washington Attorney General's Office says it will investigate. Report those concerns online or by phone at 1-800-551-4636.
Do you have a question or concern about money during the coronavirus pandemic? Email us at money@king5.com.