Smith v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 8

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER, denying #3 First MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Alexandra A Smith. Filing fee due by 10/22/2019. Signed by Judge J. Phil Gilbert on 10/8/2019. (jdh)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
ALEXANDRA A. SMITH,
Plaintiff,
Case No. 19-cv-1074 JPG/DGW

V.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter comes before the Court on the plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis (Doc. 3). A federal court may permit an indigent party to proceed without pre-payment of fees.
28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). Nevertheless, a court can deny a qualified plaintiff leave to file in forma
pauperis or can dismiss a case if the action is clearly frivolous or malicious. 28 U.S.C. §
1915(e)(2)(B)(i). The test for determining if an action is frivolous or without merit is whether the
plaintiff can make a rational argument on the law or facts in support of the claim. Neitzke v. Williams,
490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Corgain v. Miller, 708 F.2d 1241, 1247 (7th Cir. 1983). When assessing a
motion to proceed in forma pauperis, a district court should inquire into the merits of the plaintiff’s
claims, and if the court finds them to be frivolous, it should deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
Lucien v. Roegner, 682 F.2d 625, 626 (7th Cir. 1982).
Here, the plaintiff submitted an affidavit that shows she is not indigent. Therefore, the Court
DENIES the motion to proceed in forma pauperis without prepayment of fees and costs (Doc. 3).
Further, the filing fee is due by October 22, 2019. Failure to pay the filing fee by the due
date may result in dismissal of this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: October 8, 2019
s/J. Phil Gilbert
J. PHIL GILBERT
DISTRICT JUDGE