Haro v. O'Malley
- Proceeding
- district
- Area
- civil
- Panel
- Steve B. Chu (author)
Analysis
Plaintiff Albert H. filed a Social Security appeal and a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). The court granted the motion to proceed IFP, finding that the plaintiff demonstrated an inability to pay the filing fee without sacrificing the necessities of life.
| What the court decided | The model |
|---|---|
Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Granted“Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP is GRANTED.” | agree with court The court correctly applied the standard from Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., which holds that a party need not be completely destitute to proceed IFP, but must show an inability to pay the fee without sacrificing the necessities of life. The plaintiff's affidavit showed monthly income of $1,159 and monthly expenses of $900, leaving a surplus of $259. While the court did not explicitly calculate the surplus, the finding that the affidavit 'sufficiently demonstrates an inability to pay... without sacrificing the necessities of life' is a factual determination supported by the low income and essential expenses listed. The court also correctly noted the complaint was not subject to sua sponte dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). |
The order itself: sound — The order is procedurally correct and cites the appropriate statutes and case law for granting IFP status in a Social Security case. It correctly identifies the standard from Adkins and applies it to the facts presented in the affidavit. The court also performed the required screening under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 ALBERT H., Case No.: 24cv0126-SBC 12 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 13 v. MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 14 MARTIN O’MALLEY, Commissioner of 15 the Social Security Administration, [ECF No. 3] Defendant. 16 17 18 On January 19, 2024, Albert H. (“Plaintiff”) filed this Social Security appeal 19 pursuant to Section 405(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), challenging the 20 denial of his application for Supplemental Security Income (ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff 21 simultaneously filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). (ECF No. 3.) For the 22 reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s motion to proceed IFP is GRANTED. 23 All parties instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the 24 United States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 25 $400. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may proceed despite plaintiff’s failure to 26 prepay the entire fee only if the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to 28 27 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). “To 28 proceed [IFP] is a privilege not a right.” Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1 || 1965). A party need not be completely destitute to proceed IFP. Adkins v. EI. DuPont de 2 || Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). 3 Here, Plaintiff submits an affidavit stating that he receives $868.00 a month from 4 social security, and $291.00 in public-assistance, for a total of $1159.00 in monthly 5 ||income. (ECF No. 3 at 1-2.) Plaintiff claims a 2000 Jeep, but no other assets. (/d. at 3.) 6 monthly average expenses, Plaintiff claims rent/home-mortgage payment of $300, 7 || food in the amount of $400, utilities in the amount of $100, and toiletries in the amount 8 $100, for a total of $900 in expenses each month. (/d. at 4-5.) 9 Plaintiff's affidavit sufficiently demonstrates an inability to pay the required filing 10 || fee without sacrificing the necessities of life. See Adkins, 335 U.S. at 339-40. 11 || Additionally, the Court has reviewed Plaintiff's complaint and concludes it is not subject 12 || to sua sponte dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Accordingly, Plaintiff's motion 13 ||to proceed IFP is GRANTED. 14 IT IS SO ORDERED. 15 Dated: February 6, 2024 16 SN F G, 18 Hon. SteveB.Chu 19 United States Magistrate Judge 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28