A young woman who had recently been laid off found out that a debt collector had garnished her unemployment compensation. These benefits were her only source of income, and she depended on them to pay rent, utilities, and other basic living expenses. Losing that money would put her housing and financial stability at risk.
She contacted Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) for legal help. FRLS is a non‑profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide.
FRLS discovered that the court had applied the wrong legal standard. The court treated her unemployment benefits like ordinary wages, even though Florida law fully protects unemployment compensation from garnishment. We filed a motion asking the court to reconsider, supported by legal research and a sworn statement from our client confirming that the garnished funds came from unemployment benefits.
At the hearing, FRLS successfully argued that unemployment benefits are completely exempt from garnishment under Florida law. The court agreed, dissolved the writ of garnishment, and ordered the return of the funds. Our client regained access to her benefits, restoring the income she needed to stay housed and meet her basic needs.
FRLS’s advocacy ensured that her rights were protected and that she could maintain stability during a difficult time. If you or someone you know is facing an improper garnishment or other civil legal issue, reach out to us at 1‑888‑582‑3410 or apply online at FRLS.org for help.