Howell v. Social Security Administration

Filing 22

ORDER granting 19 Plaintiff's motion for attorney fees under the EAJA in the amount of $2,576.27. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 9/19/2012. (mcz)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
NATHANIEL HOWELL
V.

PLAINTIFF
CASE NO.: 2:11CV00147 BD

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Plaintiff Nathaniel Howell has moved for an award of attorney’s fees under the
Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412. (Docket entry #19) In his
motion, Mr. Howell requests fees and expenses in the amount of $2,576.27. The
Commissioner does not object to the amount requested (#21). Accordingly, Mr. Howell’s
motion (#19) is GRANTED, and he is awarded $2,576.27 in fees and expenses.
Under the Treasury Department’s Offset Program (“TOP”), attorney’s fee awards
are subject to administrative offset if the plaintiff has outstanding federal debts. The
Commissioner should contact the Treasury Department to determine whether Mr. Howell
owes any debt, as of the date of this Order. If Mr. Howell owes a debt covered by the
TOP, the Commissioner must pay the EAJA award directly to him, after deducting any
amount owed under the TOP. If Mr. Howell does not owe a debt covered by the TOP,
however, the Commissioner is ordered to make the EAJA award check payable directly to
Mr. Howell’s attorney, Anthony W. Bartels, and mail it to Mr. Bartels.

DATED this 19th day of September, 2012.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2