Hill v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS

JULIE M. HILL,

Plaintiff,

vs. Case No. 21-1148-DDC ANDREW M. SAUL, Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant. ___________________________________

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

On June 8, 2021, plaintiff filed a Complaint against the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Doc. 1. The Complaint seeks judicial review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration denying benefits. Id. at 1. Plaintiff also filed a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, Doc. 4, which included a declaration of financial status, see Doc. 4-1. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), the court may authorize a person to commence an action without prepayment of fees after submitting an “affidavit” demonstrating an inability to pay. Id.; see also id. at § 1746 (permitting use of a declaration in lieu of an affidavit when declarant declares information is true and correct under penalty of perjury). The court has broad discretion to grant or deny permission to proceed in forma pauperis. United States v. Garcia, 164 F. App’x 785, 786 n.1 (10th Cir. 2006). But the court cannot act arbitrarily or deny an application on erroneous grounds. Id. “‘[T]o succeed on a motion to proceed [in forma pauperis], the movant must show a financial inability to pay the required filing fees . . . .’” Id. (quoting Lister v. Dep’t of the Treasury, 408 F.3d 1309, 1312 (10th Cir. 2005)). After reviewing plaintiff’s financial declaration, the court finds that plaintiff has made a sufficient showing that she is unable to pay the required filing fees. The court thus grants plaintiff’s request for leave to file this action without payment of fees, costs, or security under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED BY THE COURT THAT plaintiff’s Motion to

Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 4) is granted. The Clerk shall prepare a summons under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 on plaintiff’s behalf. The Clerk shall issue the summons to the United States Marshal or Deputy Marshal, who the court appoints under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(3), to effect service. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated this 16th day of June, 2021, at Kansas City, Kansas. s/ Daniel D. Crabtree Daniel D. Crabtree United States District Judge