Nolt v. Commissioner of Social Security ( 2024 )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA ASHEVILLE DIVISION Reuben NOLT, ORDER FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES under Plaintiff, THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT v. Martin O’MALLEY, Commissioner of Social Security, No: 1:24-CV-002-GCM Defendant. ORDER Pursuant to the power of this court to award fees to a prevailing party other than the United States incurred by that party in a civil action against the United States, includ- ing proceedings for judicial review of agency action, under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and in light of this court’s May 8, 2022 Judgment remanding this case to Defendant Acting Commissioner for further administrative pro- ceedings and the parties Consent Motion, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Defendant pay $2,500.00 in attorney fees in full satisfaction of any and all claims Plaintiff may have in this case under the Equal Ac- cess to Justice Act. Pursuant to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 130 S. Ct. 1251 (2010), these attorney fees are payable to Plaintiff as the prevailing isfy any preexisting debt Plaintiff may owe to the United States Government. If, subse- quent to the entry of this Order, the Commissioner determines that Plaintiff owes no debt to the United States that would subject this award of attorney’s fees to offset, the Com- missioner may honor Plaintiff's assignment of EAJA fees providing for payment of the subject fees to Plaintiff's counsel, rather than to Plaintiff. If, however, Plaintiff 1s discov- ered to owe the government any debt subject to offset, the Commissioner shall pay any attorney fees remaining after such offset to Plaintiff rather than to counsel. Should this occur, any remaining fees made payable to Plaintiff shall be sent to his counsel. Signed: June 5, 2024 Libor l Uae Graham C. Mullen ee United States District Judge mt