MUNOZ
v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY

M.D. Fla. | 2021-12-22
No. 8:20-CV-1885
District Court, M.D. Florida (2021)

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Holding

The court granted the plaintiff's unopposed motion for attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

Facts & Procedural History

Plaintiff Tonia Amaya Munoz moved for attorney's fees and costs under the EAJA after her case was remanded to the Commissioner of Social Security. The…

The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.

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Topics
Attorney'S Fees Against The United States United States (as Party) Government's Position Substantially Justified Government Position

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Opinion of the Court

Plaintiff Tonia Amaya Munoz moves for attorney’s fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. Section 2412. (Doc. 24). The Commissioner does not oppose the motion. (Id. at p. 2). Ms. Munoz requests $3,008.74 in attorney’s fees. The EAJA permits awards for reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses to a prevailing party against the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2412. An October 14, 2021 order remanded the case to the Commissioner under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. Section 405(g) for further administrative proceedings. (Doc. 21). The Clerk

Security claimant’s request for attorney’s fees when it is unopposed. See Jones v. Colvin, No. 8:13-CV-2900-T-33AEP, 2015 WL 7721334 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 30, 2015) (awarding unopposed attorney’s fees request). Thus, Ms. Munoz is entitled to $3,008.74 in attorney’s fees.

Attorney’s fees awarded to a claimant under the EAJA can be offset to satisfy the claimant’s pre-existing debt to the United States. Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 (2010). Following this order, the United States Department of the Treasury will determine whether Ms. Munoz owes a debt to the United

States. Ms. Munoz assigned her rights to EAJA fees to her attorney. (Doc. 24- 2). If Ms. Munoz has no federal debt, the United States will accept her assignment of EAJA fees and pay the fees directly to counsel. Accordingly, Ms. Munoz’s motion for attorney’s fees under the EAJA

AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE

United States Magistrate Judge

Footnotes
1 Kilolo Kijakazi is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security and is automatically substituted as a party pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d). See also Section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 405(g) (action survives regardless of any change in the person occupying the office of Commissioner of Social Security). entered judgment in favor of Ms. Munoz.2 (Doc. 22). The Commissioner does not contest the following: Ms. Munoz is the prevailing party; Ms. Munoz’s net worth was less than $2 million when she filed her complaint; the Commissioner’s position was not substantially justified; no special circumstances make an attorney’s fees award unjust; and Ms. Munoz’s attorney’s fees request is reasonable. A court should grant a Social
2 On October 18, 2021, the court amended the order remanding the ALJ’s decision only to correct a scrivener’s error in the conclusion. (See Doc. 23). (Doc. 24) is GRANTED. Ms. Munoz is awarded $3,008.74 in attorney’s fees. ORDERED in Tampa, Florida on December 22, 2021. Aranda. Ayre [...] Sarma.

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