Odom v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration

Filing 36

ORDER granting 33 Motion for Attorney Fees per Rule 406b, awarding $11,106.50 in fees. Signed by Honorable J. Michelle Childs on 04/03/2017.(bshr, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AIKEN DIVISION

NAKISHA RENEE ODOM,

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Plaintiff,
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v.
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NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting
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Commissioner of Social Security,1
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)
Defendant.
)
____________________________________)

Civil Action No. 1:14-CV-00576-JMC

ORDER

This matter is before the court on motion for entry of an order on payment of attorney’s
fees pursuant to § 206(b) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). (ECF No. 33.) On
November 8, 2016, the Acting Commissioner (“Commissioner”) of Social Security issued a notice
stating it withheld the amount of Eleven Thousand, One Hundred and Six dollars and Fifty cents
($11,106.50) of Plaintiff’s past-due benefits in anticipation of payment of attorney’s fees. (ECF
No. 33 at 1.) Plaintiff’s motion seeks reimbursement for fees in the above-captioned matter in the
amount of $11,106.50, which is 25% of Plaintiff’s past benefits withheld from Plaintiff’s Social
Security.
The Commissioner does not oppose payment of attorney fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §
406(b). (ECF No. 34.) The court previously awarded attorney’s fees to Plaintiff pursuant to the
Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”) in the amount of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00). (ECF
No. 32.) However, the Federal government offset the EAJA fee ($4,000.00) to pay Plaintiff’s

1 Nancy A. Berryhill became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security on January 23, 2017. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), Nancy A.
Berryhill is substituted for former Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin as a Defendant in this lawsuit.

federal debt and the EAJA fee was not provided to Plaintiff’s counsel. (ECF No. 33 at 1.)
The court has reviewed Plaintiff’s Counsel’s fee petition that was submitted and finds the
request for fees reasonable. Therefore, Plaintiff is entitled to an award of payment in the amount
of $11,106.50 previously withheld from Plaintiff’s past-due Social Security benefits.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

J. Michelle Childs
United States District Judge
April 3, 2017
Columbia, SC