Earley v. Commissioner of Social Security ( 2023 )

In the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Asheville Division Danielle Earley, Plaintiff, vs. Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-00092-GCM Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. Order THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE COURT on the Plaintiff’s Consent Motion for Fees Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A) filed on October 31, 2023. Having reviewed the motion, supporting materials, memorandum in support, and the case file the Court determines that Plaintiff should be awarded an attorney’s fee under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $4,300.00. IT IS ORDERED that the Plaintiff’s Motion for Fees Under the Equal Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A) filed is GRANTED, to the extent that the Court will award attorney fees in the amount of $4,300.00, and that pursuant to Comm’r of Soc. Sec. v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. --, 130 S. Ct. 2521 (2010), the fee award will first be subject to offset of any debt Plaintiff may owe to the United States. The Commissioner will determine whether Plaintiff owes a debt to the United States. If so, the debt will be satisfied first, and if any funds remain, they will be made payable to Plaintiff and mailed to Plaintiff’s counsel. If the United States Department of the Treasury reports to the Commissioner that the Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, the government will exercise its discretion and honor an assignment of EAJA fees and pay the awarded fees directly to Plaintiffs counsel. No additional petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) shall be filed. November 7, 2023 Lbal Graham C. Mullen United States District Judge Se