Can a National Insurance benefit be garnished?

Many subsistence benefits are protected from garnishment, in whole or in part. If a protected benefit has been garnished, it may be possible to lift the garnishment and recover the funds.

The benefit was deposited into the account and garnished — is it lost?

Not necessarily. In most cases it is possible to identify the source of the funds and request their protection, even once they are already in the account.

How much does the check cost?

The check is free. An attorney's fee of 25% + VAT applies only if a refund is actually received.

Guide · Garnishments & Over-Collection

Garnishment of National Insurance Benefits — What Is Protected and How to Act

Many benefits from the National Insurance Institute are intended to secure a basic livelihood, and the law protects them — in whole or in part — from garnishment. If a protected benefit has been garnished from you, you may be entitled to a refund.

In brief: Many subsistence benefits are protected from garnishment. The garnishment of a protected benefit may be capable of being lifted, with the collected funds returned.

Which benefits are protected from garnishment?

The law protects benefits intended to secure a basic livelihood. Among the benefits that enjoy protection (in whole or in part) are benefits whose purpose is basic subsistence and assistance. The protection applies even when the benefit is deposited into the bank account, subject to identifying the source of the funds. The rules and exceptions are updated from time to time, so it is important to check the current position in the official sources.

What happens once the benefit is in the account?

Even after the benefit has entered the account, it is usually possible to point to its source and request that it be protected from garnishment. It is important to keep records of the deposits.

A protected benefit was garnished from me — what do I do?

Collect a benefit confirmation from the National Insurance Institute and an account statement.
Show the source of the funds (a protected benefit).
File a request to lift/reduce the garnishment and to return the amounts that were collected.

Were you over-charged? Let us check — for free

A garnishment and refund-eligibility check at no cost. If a refund is due to you — we handle it, and you pay a success fee of 25% + VAT only on the amount actually refunded. No win, no fee.

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More guides:‹ Guide: Over-Collection and Garnishment ‹ Bank Account Garnishment ‹ Wage Garnishment ‹ Claim of Payment ("Pareti")‹ Vehicle Garnishment ‹ Amounts Protected from Garnishment

Official sources

Assets and funds that may not be garnished — Kol-Zchut Guide for a debtor subject to garnishments — Kol-Zchut Enforcement and Collection Authority

This guide is general information only, based on official public sources and databases, and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for individual advice from a lawyer. Amounts and rules are updated from time to time. Use of the site does not create an attorney–client relationship.