The second stimulus payment is not subject to the same rules as the first.

The payment is lower at $ 600 per eligible person, and the income limits for qualifying are stricter this time.

But there is still a big difference for those who owe child support back.

When people started receiving the first incentive payment, many were dismayed to find that their payments for backward child support payments were garnished.

This was the only debt that could be recovered from the stimulus payments under the CARES Act. Holders of other past due debts, like taxes or credit-related judgments, have not been able to wrest the stimulus payments from people.

However, the second incentive payment cannot garnish debts – including child support payments.

“Your second payment won’t be set off against federal or state debt and is protected from attachment,” the IRS said.

While those who owe child support have lost their first payments, the second incentive payment is not used to pay back overdue debts.

If you haven’t received your second Stimulus payment, you can track it in the IRS Get My Payment tool.

This will allow you to confirm whether or not the agency sent your second stimulus payment. It will also confirm whether your first Stimulus payment has been sent and whether the payments have been sent by direct deposit or by post.

The IRS said the data is updated once a day during the night hours.

By law, the IRS must send out all payments by January 15th. If they don’t have your information, you can still get your payment by applying for a “Recovery Rebate Credit” on your 2020 tax return.

Then you would receive the payment in the form of a tax refund.

Use our second stimulus payment calculator to see how much your benefit can be.

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Karin Price Mueller can be reached at [email protected].