Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 1 of 7
[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT ________________________
No. 16-14966 Non-Argument Calendar ________________________
D.C. Docket No. 2:15-cv-14272-JEM
ELIZABETH CRUZ, Plaintiff - Appellant,
versus
COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant - Appellee. ________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ________________________
(February 27, 2018)
Before TJOFLAT, JILL PRYOR and NEWSOM, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 2 of 7
Elizabeth Cruz, proceeding pro se, appeals from the district court’s order
affirming the Commissioner of Social Security’s final decision that she was no
longer eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). On appeal, Cruz
argues that the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) erred in imputing Miguel
Gonzalez’s income to her. After careful consideration, we affirm the district
court’s judgment in favor of the Commissioner.
I. BACKGROUND
Cruz was awarded SSI benefits in 1999. As part of the Social Security
Administration’s (“SSA”) redetermination of Cruz’s SSI eligibility in 2005, Cruz
submitted information to the SSA regarding her living situation, income, and
marital status. She reported that she began living in a home owned by Miguel
Gonzalez in 2004 and that he paid the mortgage on the home. She stated that she
had never been married, but she and Gonzalez presented themselves to the
community as husband and wife. Cruz stated that she had no income other than
$352 in monthly payments from state and local assistance programs. She
continued to receive SSI benefits following this redetermination.
In response to an SSA redetermination in 2006, Cruz reported that she
resided with Gonzalez, whom she referred to as her spouse. Again she stated that
she had never been married, but she and Gonzalez presented themselves as
2 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 3 of 7
husband and wife. She stated that she had no income. From 2006 until 2010, Cruz
continued to receive her monthly SSI payments.
As part of another SSA redetermination in 2010, Cruz again reported that
she had never been married, she and Gonzalez lived at the same address, and they
presented themselves to others as husband and wife. She referred to Gonzalez as
her spouse. She also reported that she had no income but Gonzalez received
$2,400 per month in Veterans Affairs benefits and $329 per month in Social
Security benefits. The SSA determined, based on Gonzalez’s income, that Cruz
was no longer eligible for SSI as of July 2010.
Cruz requested reconsideration, arguing that Gonzalez was her boyfriend so
his income should not count against her. The SSA denied the request, noting that
Cruz and Gonzalez’s income exceeded the SSI eligibility limits. Cruz requested a
hearing before an ALJ, stating that she rented a room from Gonzalez, but they
were not currently dating. An ALJ held a video hearing during which Cruz
appeared pro se. Following the hearing, the ALJ issued a decision on September
16, 2011, finding that Cruz and Gonzalez had been presenting themselves as
married and thus Gonzalez’s income should be considered as Cruz’s income.
Cruz requested that the Appeals Council review the ALJ’s decision. Before
the Appeals Council’s decision, Gonzalez submitted a letter to the SSA. In the
letter, dated September 29, 2011, Gonzalez wrote that he was not in a relationship
3 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 4 of 7
with Cruz, who was merely his tenant and friend. Gonzalez also submitted a lease
agreement signed by Cruz, which stated that Cruz would pay Gonzalez $400 per
month in rent, effective September 29, 2011, the same date as his letter.
The Appeals Council did not make a determination on the merits of Cruz’s
appeal. Instead, it vacated the ALJ’s decision and remanded the case for a new
hearing because the recording of the previous hearing could not be located. During
the second hearing, Cruz testified that she had lived in Gonzalez’s home since
2004, but she had her own bedroom. She stated that Gonzalez was a “good
friend,” but she had “nothing to do with him.” Hr’g Tr. at 4-5 (Doc. 14-1). 1 Cruz
acknowledged after being shown her redetermination paperwork that it stated
Gonzalez was her spouse, but she insisted he was not.
The ALJ issued an unfavorable decision, finding that although Cruz and
Gonzalez were not legally married, Gonzalez was Cruz’s spouse. The ALJ found
that they had been presenting themselves as husband and wife for several years,
and Cruz’s statements to the contrary were not credible. The ALJ concluded that
Gonzalez’s income must be imputed to Cruz, and therefore Cruz was ineligible for
SSI benefits.
Cruz administratively appealed, and the Appeals Council denied Cruz’s
request for review. Cruz sought review of the Commissioner’s decision in federal
1 Citations to “Doc. #” refer to docket entries in the district court record in this case. 4 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 5 of 7
district court. Cruz and the Commissioner each moved for summary judgment. A
magistrate judge recommended that the court grant summary judgment to the
Commissioner. The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s recommendation
over Cruz’s objections and granted the Commissioner’s motion for summary
judgment. Cruz appealed.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
When, as here, an ALJ denies Social Security benefits and the Appeals
Council denies review, we review the ALJ’s decision as the Commissioner’s final
decision. See Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir. 2001). We review
the decision to determine whether it is supported by substantial evidence and
whether the ALJ applied the proper legal standards. Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d
1208, 1211 (11th Cir. 2005). We further review a credibility determination to see
if substantial evidence supports it. Marbury v. Sullivan, 957 F.2d 837, 839 (11th
Cir. 1992). Substantial evidence refers to “such relevant evidence as a reasonable
person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Moore, 405 F.3d at
1211. Our limited review precludes us from “deciding the facts anew, making
credibility determinations, or re-weighing the evidence.” Id.
5 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 6 of 7
III. DISCUSSION
On appeal, Cruz challenges the ALJ’s finding that she was in a relationship
with Gonzalez, arguing that she and Gonzalez are family friends and that she has
never represented otherwise to the SSA. We cannot agree.
The Social Security Act extends benefits to disabled persons who satisfy the
income and resource requirements. 42 U.S.C. § 1381 et seq. To be eligible for SSI
under the Act, an individual’s income cannot exceed a certain amount. Id.
§ 1381a. If an individual lives in the same household as her spouse who is
ineligible for SSI, “such individual’s income and resources shall be deemed to
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Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 1 of 7
[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT ________________________
No. 16-14966 Non-Argument Calendar ________________________
D.C. Docket No. 2:15-cv-14272-JEM
ELIZABETH CRUZ, Plaintiff - Appellant,
versus
COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant - Appellee. ________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ________________________
(February 27, 2018)
Before TJOFLAT, JILL PRYOR and NEWSOM, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 2 of 7
Elizabeth Cruz, proceeding pro se, appeals from the district court’s order
affirming the Commissioner of Social Security’s final decision that she was no
longer eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). On appeal, Cruz
argues that the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) erred in imputing Miguel
Gonzalez’s income to her. After careful consideration, we affirm the district
court’s judgment in favor of the Commissioner.
I. BACKGROUND
Cruz was awarded SSI benefits in 1999. As part of the Social Security
Administration’s (“SSA”) redetermination of Cruz’s SSI eligibility in 2005, Cruz
submitted information to the SSA regarding her living situation, income, and
marital status. She reported that she began living in a home owned by Miguel
Gonzalez in 2004 and that he paid the mortgage on the home. She stated that she
had never been married, but she and Gonzalez presented themselves to the
community as husband and wife. Cruz stated that she had no income other than
$352 in monthly payments from state and local assistance programs. She
continued to receive SSI benefits following this redetermination.
In response to an SSA redetermination in 2006, Cruz reported that she
resided with Gonzalez, whom she referred to as her spouse. Again she stated that
she had never been married, but she and Gonzalez presented themselves as
2 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 3 of 7
husband and wife. She stated that she had no income. From 2006 until 2010, Cruz
continued to receive her monthly SSI payments.
As part of another SSA redetermination in 2010, Cruz again reported that
she had never been married, she and Gonzalez lived at the same address, and they
presented themselves to others as husband and wife. She referred to Gonzalez as
her spouse. She also reported that she had no income but Gonzalez received
$2,400 per month in Veterans Affairs benefits and $329 per month in Social
Security benefits. The SSA determined, based on Gonzalez’s income, that Cruz
was no longer eligible for SSI as of July 2010.
Cruz requested reconsideration, arguing that Gonzalez was her boyfriend so
his income should not count against her. The SSA denied the request, noting that
Cruz and Gonzalez’s income exceeded the SSI eligibility limits. Cruz requested a
hearing before an ALJ, stating that she rented a room from Gonzalez, but they
were not currently dating. An ALJ held a video hearing during which Cruz
appeared pro se. Following the hearing, the ALJ issued a decision on September
16, 2011, finding that Cruz and Gonzalez had been presenting themselves as
married and thus Gonzalez’s income should be considered as Cruz’s income.
Cruz requested that the Appeals Council review the ALJ’s decision. Before
the Appeals Council’s decision, Gonzalez submitted a letter to the SSA. In the
letter, dated September 29, 2011, Gonzalez wrote that he was not in a relationship
3 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 4 of 7
with Cruz, who was merely his tenant and friend. Gonzalez also submitted a lease
agreement signed by Cruz, which stated that Cruz would pay Gonzalez $400 per
month in rent, effective September 29, 2011, the same date as his letter.
The Appeals Council did not make a determination on the merits of Cruz’s
appeal. Instead, it vacated the ALJ’s decision and remanded the case for a new
hearing because the recording of the previous hearing could not be located. During
the second hearing, Cruz testified that she had lived in Gonzalez’s home since
2004, but she had her own bedroom. She stated that Gonzalez was a “good
friend,” but she had “nothing to do with him.” Hr’g Tr. at 4-5 (Doc. 14-1). 1 Cruz
acknowledged after being shown her redetermination paperwork that it stated
Gonzalez was her spouse, but she insisted he was not.
The ALJ issued an unfavorable decision, finding that although Cruz and
Gonzalez were not legally married, Gonzalez was Cruz’s spouse. The ALJ found
that they had been presenting themselves as husband and wife for several years,
and Cruz’s statements to the contrary were not credible. The ALJ concluded that
Gonzalez’s income must be imputed to Cruz, and therefore Cruz was ineligible for
SSI benefits.
Cruz administratively appealed, and the Appeals Council denied Cruz’s
request for review. Cruz sought review of the Commissioner’s decision in federal
1 Citations to “Doc. #” refer to docket entries in the district court record in this case. 4 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 5 of 7
district court. Cruz and the Commissioner each moved for summary judgment. A
magistrate judge recommended that the court grant summary judgment to the
Commissioner. The district court adopted the magistrate judge’s recommendation
over Cruz’s objections and granted the Commissioner’s motion for summary
judgment. Cruz appealed.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
When, as here, an ALJ denies Social Security benefits and the Appeals
Council denies review, we review the ALJ’s decision as the Commissioner’s final
decision. See Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir. 2001). We review
the decision to determine whether it is supported by substantial evidence and
whether the ALJ applied the proper legal standards. Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d
1208, 1211 (11th Cir. 2005). We further review a credibility determination to see
if substantial evidence supports it. Marbury v. Sullivan, 957 F.2d 837, 839 (11th
Cir. 1992). Substantial evidence refers to “such relevant evidence as a reasonable
person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Moore, 405 F.3d at
1211. Our limited review precludes us from “deciding the facts anew, making
credibility determinations, or re-weighing the evidence.” Id.
5 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 6 of 7
III. DISCUSSION
On appeal, Cruz challenges the ALJ’s finding that she was in a relationship
with Gonzalez, arguing that she and Gonzalez are family friends and that she has
never represented otherwise to the SSA. We cannot agree.
The Social Security Act extends benefits to disabled persons who satisfy the
income and resource requirements. 42 U.S.C. § 1381 et seq. To be eligible for SSI
under the Act, an individual’s income cannot exceed a certain amount. Id.
§ 1381a. If an individual lives in the same household as her spouse who is
ineligible for SSI, “such individual’s income and resources shall be deemed to
include any income and resources of such spouse.” Id. § 1382c(f)(1). The statute
further provides that if two individuals “are found to be holding themselves out to
the community in which they reside as husband and wife, they shall be so
considered” under the statute. Id. § 1382c(d)(2).
Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination that Gonzalez was
Cruz’s spouse. As part of her July 2010 eligibility redetermination, Cruz stated
that she and Gonzalez had been living together since 2008; that they presented
themselves as husband and wife; and that her spouse, Gonzalez, was purchasing
the home where they lived. She also stated that she had no other income. Cruz
made similar representations in 2005 and 2006. The ALJ found that because Cruz
had no other source of support, it appeared that Gonzalez was supporting Cruz “as
6 Case: 16-14966 Date Filed: 02/27/2018 Page: 7 of 7
is common in a marital relationship when one party has no income.” ALJ Decision
at 3 (Doc. 14). The evidence was consistent with this determination.
Substantial evidence also supports the ALJ’s determination that Cruz’s
testimony that Gonzalez was not her spouse was not credible. As the ALJ noted,
prior to Cruz’s second hearing, she had repeatedly stated that Gonzalez was her
spouse. Furthermore, in her request for reconsideration, Cruz described Gonzalez
as her boyfriend, which contradicted her later statements that he was merely her
landlord. Additionally, as the ALJ found, it is unlikely that Cruz suddenly began
paying Gonzalez rent under the 2011 lease agreement given that she had no source
of income and had lived in his home without paying rent for at least three years.
As the ALJ also noted, the lease was dated about two weeks after the ALJ’s initial
decision, indicating that the agreement was created only to support her request for
reconsideration of the denial of her benefits.
Because a “reasonable person would accept” this evidence as supporting the
ALJ’s finding that Gonzalez was Cruz’s spouse, Moore, 405 F.3d at 121, we will
not upset the ALJ’s decision here.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, we must affirm the district court’s order and
the Commissioner’s decision.
AFFIRMED.