Owens v. Commissioner of SSA

Filing 19

ORDER granting 17 the Plaintiff's Motion for EAJA Fees. See written Order. Entered by Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley on 10/31/2017. (KZ, ilcd)

E-FILED

Tuesday, 31 October, 2017 11:24:57 AM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
ROCK ISLAND DIVISION
GREGORY OWENS,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 4:16-cv-4220-JEH

NANCY BERRYHILL,
Defendant.
Order
The Court has reviewed the Plaintiff’s Motion for EAJA Fees (Doc. 17) to which the
Defendant has no opposition. The Court therefore GRANTS the Motion and awards the
Plaintiff, Gregory Owens, $2,811.38 (two thousand eight hundred eleven dollars and thirty
eight cents) for attorney fees and $0 (zero dollars) for costs in full satisfaction of any and all
claims the Plaintiff may have under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412. The
award fully and completely satisfies and any all claims for attorney fees, expenses, and
costs that may be payable to the Plaintiff in this matter under the EAJA.
Any fees paid belong to the Plaintiff and not his attorney. The fees can be offset to
satisfy any pre-existing debt that the Plaintiff owes the United States. Astrue v. Ratliff, 560
U.S. 586, 589 (2010). If the Defendant can verify that the Plaintiff does not owe pre-existing
debt to the government subject to offset, the Defendant will direct payment of the award to
the Plaintiff’s attorney pursuant to any EAJA assignment that was previously executed
between the Plaintiff and his attorney.
It is so ordered.
Entered on October 31, 2017.

s/Jonathan E. Hawley
U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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