Coronavirus stimulus checks are protected from garnishment in California. On April 23, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order exempting the coronavirus stimulus checks from garnishments and levies. This means that if you have a garnishment and/or bank levy order because of a judgement against you, that creditor may not intercept your stimulus check or take it from your bank account. This is very good news for people in need of this relief who have money judgements against them by creditors. The stimulus checks aren’t much, but they’re better than nothing, and some people need all the help they can get.
Your bank or credit union may honor a bank levy or garnishment order by freezing your account. Your bank or credit union may also try to take this money if you owe them money. This is known as a setoff, and is also prohibited by the executive order. If your bank or credit union tried to keep you from getting your stimulus money, you should immediately contact them and demand that they release these funds to you pursuant to the executive order.
If you need legal help with this, contact an attorney today.