Any assignment, pledge, or encumbrance of any right to benefits which are or may become due or payable under this chapter, except as is provided by this chapter, shall be void, and such rights to benefits shall be exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy whatsoever provided for the collection of debts. Any waiver of any exemption herein provided, unless expressly permitted by this section, shall be void.
Ala. Code § 25-4-140 (1975)