Ahern v. Kijakazi ( 2023 )

1 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 3 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 4 * * * 5 Mark David Ahern, Case No. 2:23-cv-02085-DJA 6 Plaintiff, 7 Order v. 8 Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of 9 Social Security, 10 Defendant. 11 12 Before the Court is Plaintiff Mark David Ahern’s motion for leave to proceed in forma 13 pauperis. (ECF No. 1). Because the Court finds that Plaintiff has demonstrated an inability to 14 prepay fees and costs or give security for them, it grants the application. The Court also finds that 15 Plaintiff’s complaint has met the basic requirements to satisfy screening. The Court finds these 16 matters properly resolved without a hearing. LR 78-1. 17 I. Discussion. 18 A. The Court grants Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis application. 19 Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing an inability 20 to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Plaintiff explains that his only income is 21 public assistance and that his parents are helping him. The Court thus finds that Plaintiff is 22 unable to pay an initial partial filing fee and grants the application to proceed in forma pauperis. 23 B. Plaintiff’s complaint passes the Court’s screening. 24 Plaintiff’s complaint meets the basic requirements to pass screening. When a plaintiff 25 seeks leave to file a civil case in forma pauperis, the court will screen the complaint. See 28 26 U.S.C. § 1915(e). For social security appeals, judges in this district consider four requirements 27 for complaints to satisfy screening. See, e.g., Graves v. Colvin, 2015 WL 357121, *2 (D. Nev. 1 remedies were exhausted under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and that the plaintiff filed the application 2 within 60 days after notice of the Social Security Commissioner’s final decision. See id. Second, 3 the complaint must indicate the judicial district in which the plaintiff resides. See id. Third, the 4 complaint must state the nature of the plaintiff’s disability and when the plaintiff claims to have 5 become disabled. See id. Fourth, the complaint must contain a plain, short, and concise 6 statement identifying the nature of the plaintiff’s disagreement with the determination made by 7 the Social Security Administration and show that the plaintiff is entitled to relief. See id. 8 Here, Plaintiff’s complaint satisfies all four requirements. First, the complaint asserts that 9 Plaintiff has properly sought review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) because he applied for Child’s 10 Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income which applications the Commissioner 11 denied initially and upon reconsideration. Plaintiff requested and participated in a hearing before 12 an administrative law judge (ALJ), who denied Plaintiff’s claim on February 16, 2023. The 13 Appeals Council denied review on October 31, 2023, making the ALJ’s decision the final 14 decision of the Commissioner. Plaintiff filed an in forma pauperis application less than 60 days 15 later. Second, Plaintiff claims to live in the jurisdictional boundaries of this Court. Third, the 16 complaint outlines the nature of Plaintiff’s disabilities, and the date Plaintiff became disabled. 17 Fourth, the complaint concisely states Plaintiff’s disagreement with the Social Security 18 Administration’s determination. Because Plaintiff’s complaint meets each of these requirements, 19 it satisfies screening. 20 21 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma 22 pauperis (ECF No. 1) is granted with the caveat that the fees shall be paid if recovery is made. 23 At this time, Plaintiff shall not be required to pay the filing fee. 24 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this action to 25 conclusion without the necessity of prepayment of any additional fees or costs or the giving of 26 security therefor. The Order granting leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall not extend to the 27 issuance of subpoenas at government expense. ] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is kindly directed to file the 2 || complaint (ECF No. 1-1). 3 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is kindly directed to provide notice 4 || of this action to the Commissioner pursuant to Rule 3 of the Supplemental Rules for Social 5 || Security. 6 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that from this point forward, Plaintiff shall serve upon 7 || Defendant or, if appearance has been entered by counsel, upon the attorney, a copy of every 8 || pleading, motion, or other document submitted for consideration by the Court. Plaintiff shall 9 || mclude with the original paper submitted for filing a certificate stating the date that a true and 10 || correct copy of the document was personally served or sent by mail to the Defendant or counsel 11 || forthe Defendant. The Court may disregard any paper received by a judge which has not been 12 || filed with the clerk, and any paper received by a judge or the clerk which fails to include a 13 || certificate of service. 14 15 DATED: December 21, 2023 . 16 — OO DANIEL J. ALBREGTS 4 17 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28