Bellinger v. Social Security Administration

Filing 19

ORDER granting 16 Motion for Attorney Fees and awarding pltf Saleria Bellinger $1,821.62 in fees and expenses. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 7/26/11. (kpr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
SALERIA BELLINGER
V.

PLAINTIFF
NO.: 3:10CV00123 BD

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Pending is Plaintiff Saleria Bellinger’s Motion for an Award of Attorney’s Fees
under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412 (docket entry #16).
In her motion, Ms. Bellinger requests fees in the amount of $1,805.00 and expenses in the
amount of $16.62. The Commissioner does not object to the amount requested (#18).
Accordingly, Ms. Bellinger’s motion (#16) is GRANTED, and she is awarded $1,821.62
in fees and expenses.
In her motion, Ms. Bellinger states that she has assigned any attorney fees and
costs awarded under the EAJA to her attorney. Ms. Bellinger’s counsel attached a copy
of the contract he entered into with Ms. Bellinger to the motion. In the contract, Ms.
Bellinger assigned her rights to any EAJA fees and costs awarded in her case to her
counsel. (#16-1 at p. 1) The contract also provides for Ms. Bellinger to have any “checks
made payable directly to Anthony W. Bartels and sent directly to his address.” (#16-1 at
p. 1)

The Court will honor Ms. Bellinger’s assignment to the extent she does not owe
any debts subject to administrative offset under the Treasury Department’s Offset
Program (“TOP”). The Commissioner should contact the Treasury Department to
determine whether Ms. Bellinger owes any debt, as of the date of this order. If Ms.
Bellinger owes a debt under the TOP, the Commissioner must pay the EAJA award to
her, deducting any offset owed under the TOP. If Ms. Bellinger does not owe a debt
under the TOP, however, the Commissioner is ordered to make the EAJA award check
payable directly to Mr. Bellinger’s attorney, Anthony W. Bartels, and mail it to Mr.
Bartels.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 26th day of July, 2011.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE