White v. Social Security Administration

Filing 18

ORDER granting 15 Ms. White's motion and approving attorney's fees and costs in the amount of $6,340.10. Per the Commissioner's request, the EAJA fee award shall be made payable to Ms. White subject to offset to satisfy any preexisting debt owed to the United States. The Commissioner shall certify this award. Signed by Judge Kristine G. Baker on 7/10/2017. (mef)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
MARY J. WHITE
v.

PLAINTIFF
Case No. 4:15-cv-00690 KGB

NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Before the Court is plaintiff Mary J. White’s request for attorney’s fees and costs filed
pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412 (Dkt. No. 15). The
Commissioner has responded and does not object to the motion (Dkt. No. 17). The Commissioner
requests that any fees or costs awarded be made payable directly to Ms. White in order to allow
the United States Treasury Department to verify that Ms. White 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 Ms. White’s motion (Dkt. No. 15).

The

Commissioner asserts that Ms. White “has requested a reasonable award of EAJA fees and
expenses for services rendered in this case” (Dkt. No. 17, at 1). Therefore, the Court finds that the
hours spent by counsel were reasonable. The Court approves attorney’s fees and costs in the
amount of $6,340.10. Per the Commissioner’s request, The EAJA fee award shall be made payable
to Ms. White, in the care of and mailed to her counsel, but subject to any offset to satisfy any preexisting debt owed to the United States. The Commissioner shall certify this award.

It is so ordered this the 10th day of July, 2017.

_______________________
Kristine G. Baker
United States District Judge

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