Hanley v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

WILLIAM JAMES HANLEY,

Plaintiff, v. Case No. 8:22-cv-2046-AAS

KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Commissioner, Social Security Administration,

Defendant. ______________________________________/ ORDER

William James Hanley moves for attorney’s fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. Section 2412. (Doc. 22). The Commissioner does not Mr. Hanley’s motion. (Id. at 3–4). Mr. Hanley requests $8,151.41 in attorney’s fees and $402.00 in costs. (Id. at 1). The EAJA permits awards for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to a prevailing party against the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2412. A February 22, 2023 order remanded the Commissioner’s final decision under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. Section 405(g) for further administrative proceedings. (Doc. 20). The Clerk entered judgment in Mr. Hanley’s favor. (Doc. 21). The Commissioner does not contest the following: Mr. Hanley is the prevailing party; Mr. Hanley’s net worth was less than $2 million when she filed her complaint; the Commissioner’s position was not substantially justified; and Mr. Hanley’s attorney’s fees request are reasonable. (Doc. 22, pp. 2—3). A court should grant a Social Security claimant’s request for attorney’s fees when it is unopposed. See Jones v. Colvin, No. 8:18-CV-2900-T-33AEP, 2015 WL 7721334 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 30, 2015) (awarding unopposed attorney’s fees request). Thus, Mr. Hanley is entitled to $8,151.41 in attorney’s fees and $402.00 in costs. Attorney’s fees awarded to a claimant under the EAJA can be offset to satisfy the claimant’s pre-existing debt to the United States. Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 (2010). Following an order, the United States Department of the Treasury will determine whether Mr. Hanley owes a debt to the United States. Mr. Hanley assigned his rights to EAJA fees to his attorney. (Doc. 22, Ex. 3). So, if Mr. Hanley has no federal debt, the United States will accept his assignment of EAJA fees and pay the fees directly to counsel. Accordingly, Mr. Hanley’s motion for attorney’s fees under the EAJA (Doc. 22) is GRANTED. Mr. Hanley is awarded $8,151.41 in attorney’s fees and $402.00 in costs. ORDERED in Tampa, Florida on April 26, 2023. Aranda. Are Ah Same AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE | United States Magistrate Judge