Walker v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
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DECISION AND ORDER. For the reasons stated in this Decision and Order, Plaintiff has until August 14, 2017 to file the Notice of Appeals Council Action letter that he received from the Appeals Council. If Plaintiff fails to abide by this Order his action will be dismissed as untimely. SO ORDERED. A Copy of this NEF and Order have been mailed to the pro se Plaintiff. Signed by Hon. Frank P. Geraci, Jr. on 7/25/2017. (AFM)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
BRIAN N. WALKER, JR.,
Plaintiff,
Case # 17-CV-6403-FPG
v.
DECISION AND ORDER
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.
Pro se Plaintiff Brian N. Walker, Jr. (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint and a Motion for Leave
to Proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915. ECF Nos. 1, 2. Plaintiff seeks review
of the final decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security (“the Commissioner”) that
denied his application for benefits under the Social Security Act. ECF No. 1.
The Court has jurisdiction over certain Social Security benefits claims pursuant to 42
U.S.C. §405(g). However, an individual seeking district court review of his or her Social Security
benefits claim must first exhaust all administrative remedies.
After exhausting his or her
administrative remedies, the individual has 60 days to file an action seeking district court review
of the Commissioner’s final decision. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). When the Appeals Council denies
review, the 60-day timeframe starts the day after the individual receives the “Notice of Appeals
Council Action” letter.
Plaintiff’s Complaint indicates that he appealed to the Appeals Council on September 21,
2015, however, the requisite copy of the Appeals Council’s decision is missing. Assuming that
the Appeals Council issued a decision on Plaintiff’s claim, it appears likely that the statute of
limitations for filing this action has expired. The Court cannot evaluate the merits of this case until
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Plaintiff proves that he has exhausted his administrative remedies so the Court can determine
whether this action was timely filed.
Plaintiff has until August 14, 2017 to file the “Notice of Appeals Council Action” letter
that he received from the Appeals Council. If Plaintiff fails to abide by this Order his action will
be dismissed as untimely. If Plaintiff files the proper documentation and the Court finds that his
case is timely, the Court will rule on his motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: July 25, 2017
Rochester, New York
______________________________________
HON. FRANK P. GERACI, JR.
Chief Judge
United States District Court
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