Macnish v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 26

ORDER granting 23 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr on 1/18/2023. (ams)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
ASHEVILLE DIVISION
1:21-cv-188-MOC
MARGARET MACNISH,

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Plaintiff,
v.
KILOLO KIJAKAZI,
Acting Commissioner of
Social Security
Defendant.
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ORDER

THIS MATTER is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Consent Motion for Fees Pursuant to
the Equal Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). Having reviewed the motion,
supporting materials, memorandum in support, and the case file the Court determines that
Plaintiff should be awarded an attorney’s fee under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”),
28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $6,800.00.
ORDER
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that the Plaintiff’s Motion for Fees Under the Equal
Access to Justice Act 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A) is GRANTED, to the extent that the Court will
award attorney fees in the amount of $6,800.00, and that pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S.
586 (2010), the fee award will first be subject to offset of any debt Plaintiff may owe to the United
States. The Commissioner will determine whether Plaintiff owes a debt to the United States. If
so, the debt will be satisfied first, and if any funds remain, they will be made payable to Plaintiff
and mailed to Plaintiff’s counsel. If the United States Department of the Treasury reports to the
Commissioner that the Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, the government will exercise its

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discretion and honor an assignment of EAJA fees and pay the awarded fees directly to Plaintiff’s
counsel. No additional petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d) shall be filed.

Signed: January 18, 2023

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