Hayden v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of

Filing 5

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER sustaining #4 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. The Clerk shall issue summons to the US Marshal or Deputy Marshal, who are appointed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(c)(3). Plaintiff(s) or plaintiff(s) counsel directed to IMMEDIATELY prepare and submit summon(s) to the Clerk for service. Signed by District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil on 6/4/2021. (hw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
MICHELE K. HAYDEN,

)
)
Plaintiff,
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v.
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ANDREW M. SAUL
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COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
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Defendant.
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____________________________________________________)

CIVIL ACTION
No. 21-1122-KHV

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on petitioner’s Motion For Leave To Proceed In Forma
Pauperis (Doc. #4) filed May 4, 2021. For reasons stated below, the Court sustains petitioner’s
motion.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), a federal court may authorize commencement of an action
without prepayment of fees by a person who lacks financial means. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). To
proceed in forma pauperis, plaintiff must demonstrate “a financial inability to pay the required
filing fees, as well as the existence of a reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on the law and facts in
support of the issues raised in the action.” Lister v. Dep’t Of Treasury, 408 F.3d 1309, 1312 (10th
Cir. 2005). Proceeding in forma pauperis in a civil case “is a privilege, not a right—fundamental
or otherwise.” White v. Colorado, 157 F.3d 1226, 1233 (10th Cir. 1998). The decision to grant
or deny in forma pauperis status lies within the sound discretion of the Court. Cabrera v. Horgas,
No. 98-4231, 1999 WL 241783, at *1 (10th Cir. Apr. 23, 1999). Courts recognize a liberal policy
toward permitting proceedings in forma pauperis when necessary to ensure that the courts are
available to all citizens, not just those who can afford to pay. Yellen v. Cooper, 828 F.2d 1471

(10th Cir. 1987); Flanery v. Berryhill, No. 19-1062-KHV-KGG, 2019 WL 2073871, at *1 (D. Kan.
May 10, 2019). When considering plaintiff’s application, the Court must not act arbitrarily or
deny the application on erroneous grounds. Parker v. Bd. of Pub. Util. of Kansas City, Kan., No.
08-1038-MLB, 2008 WL 11383299, at *1 (D. Kan. Feb. 11, 2008).
The Court has reviewed plaintiff’s financial affidavit included in her motion. Plaintiff
asserts as follows: (1) she is currently unemployed; (2) her spouse receives disability benefits; (3)
neither she nor her spouse own real property or an automobile; (4) she owes $600 in medical copays and (5) she will have more doctor’s visits following recent surgery on her arm. In light of
the information that plaintiff provided, and consistent with the Court’s liberal policy toward
permitting proceedings in forma pauperis, the Court will allow plaintiff to proceed in forma
pauperis.
When the Court grants a party leave to proceed in forma pauperis, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)
requires the Court to screen the party’s complaint.

The Court must dismiss the case if it

determines that the case (1) is frivolous or malicious, (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief
may be granted or (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from suit. See
28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Here, petitioner alleges that substantial evidence does not support the
administrative law judge’s finding that she is not disabled and asks the Court to reverse this finding
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Because petitioner properly states a claim for relief, the Court
concludes that the case does not meet any of the above grounds for dismissal.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that petitioner’s Motion For Leave To Proceed In
Forma Pauperis (Doc. #4) filed May 4, 2021 is SUSTAINED.
Dated this 4th day of June, 2021 at Kansas City, Kansas.

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s/ Kathryn H. Vratil
KATHRYN H. VRATIL
United States District Judge

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