Wheeler v. Social Security Administration

Filing 21

ORDER granting 16 Motion for Attorney Fees & Expenses. Plaintiff is awarded $1,934.12 in fees & expenses. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 1/20/2012. (jct)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
BONNIE WHEELER
V.

PLAINTIFF
CASE NO. 3:11CV00024 BD

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Pending is Plaintiff Bonnie Wheeler’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. Wheeler requests fees and expenses in the amount of $1,934.12. The
Commissioner does not object to the amount requested (#19). Accordingly, Ms.
Wheeler’s motion (#16) is GRANTED, and she is awarded $1,934.12 in fees and
expenses.
Under the Treasury Department’s Offset Program (“TOP”), attorney’s fee awards
are subject to administrative offset when the plaintiff has outstanding federal debts. The
Commissioner should contact the Treasury Department to determine whether Ms.
Wheeler owes any debt, as of the date of this Order. If Ms. Wheeler owes a debt under
the TOP, the Commissioner must pay the EAJA award to her, deducting any offset owed
under the TOP. If Ms. Wheeler does not owe a debt under the TOP, however, the
Commissioner is ordered to make the EAJA award check payable directly to Ms.
Wheeler’s attorney, Anthony W. Bartels, and mail it to Mr. Bartels.

DATED this 20th day of January, 2012.

____________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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