Jackson v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

JONATHAN JACKSON,

Plaintiff, v. Case No.: 8:22-cv-02416-AAS

KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Administration,

Defendant. ___________________________________/

ORDER Jonathan Jackson moves for attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. Section 2412. (Doc. 22). The Commissioner does not oppose the motion. (Id., p. 3). Mr. Jackson requests $4,561.01 in attorney’s fees. (Id. at p. 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 July 26, 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. Jackson’s favor. (Doc. 21). The Commissioner does not contest the following: Mr. Jackson is the prevailing party; the Commissioner’s position was not substantially justified; Mr. Jackson’s net worth at the time of filing this proceeding was less than two million dollars; and Mr. Jackson’s attorney’s fees request is reasonable. (Doc. 22, pp. 3-4). A court should grant a Social Security claimant’s request for attorney’s fees when it 1s unopposed. See Jones v. Colvin, No. 8:13-CV-2900-T- 33AEP, 2015 WL 7721334 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 30, 2015) (awarding unopposed attorney's fees request). Thus, Mr. Jackson is entitled to $ 4,561.01 in attorney’s fees. 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. Jackson owes a debt to the United States. Mr. Jackson assigned his rights to EAJA fees to his attorney. (Doc. 22, Ex. Q). So, if Mr. Jackson has no federal debt, the United States will accept his assignment of EAJA fees and pay the fees directly to counsel. Accordingly, Mr. Jackson’s motion for attorney’s fees under the EAJA (Doc. 22) is GRANTED. Mr. Jackson is awarded $4,561.01 in attorney’s fees. ORDERED in Tampa, Florida on November 6, 2023.

Aranda, Agno Sarma AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE | United States Magistrate Judge