Meadows v. Social Security Administration

Filing 21

ORDER granting 15 Motion for Attorney Fees. The Court approves attorney's fees and costs in the amount of $4,366.05. Per the Commissioner's request, the EAJA fee award shall be made payable to Mr. Meadows, in the care of and mailed to his counsel, but subject to any offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt owed by Mr. Meadows to the United States. The Commissioner shall certify this award. Signed by Judge Kristine G. Baker on 1/11/2018. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
RICKY LEE MEADOWS
v.

PLAINTIFF
Case No. 3:16-cv-00054 KGB-JTR

NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Before the Court is plaintiff Ricky Meadows’ motion for award of attorney’s fees pursuant
to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) (Dkt. No. 15).

The

Commissioner has responded and does not object to the motion (Dkt. No. 19). The Commissioner
requests that any fees or costs awarded be made payable directly to Mr. Meadows in order to allow
the United States Treasury Department to verify that Mr. Meadows has no federal debt, pursuant
to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 (2010) (holding that an award of fees under the EAJA is
payable to the litigant and is therefore subject to a government offset to satisfy the litigant’s preexisting debt to the United States).
For good cause shown, the Court grants Mr. Meadows’ motion (Dkt. No. 15). The
Commissioner asserts that Mr. Meadows “has requested a reasonable award of EAJA fees for the
services rendered in this case” (Dkt. No. 19, at 1). After review of the record, the Court agrees.
The Court finds that the hours spent by counsel were reasonable. The Court approves attorney’s
fees and costs in the amount of $4,366.05. Per the Commissioner’s request, the EAJA fee award
shall be made payable to Mr. Meadows, in the care of and mailed to his counsel, but subject to any
offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt owed by Mr. Meadows to the United States.
Commissioner shall certify this award.

The

It is so ordered this the 11th day of January, 2018.

_______________________
Kristine G. Baker
United States District Judge

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