Opinion
Case No.: 21-cv-0679-BLM
04-21-2021
JASON BLOUNT, Plaintiff, v. ANDREW SAUL, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE PLAINTIFF'S APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN DISTRICT COURT WITHOUT PREPAYING OF FEES OR COSTS AND DISMISSING COMPLAINT WITH LEAVE TO AMEND
[ECF No. 2]
On April 16, 2021, Plaintiff filed this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of the Social Security Act ("Act") seeking judicial review of the administrative decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ("Defendant" or "Commission"), which denied Plaintiff's application for the supplemental security income ("SSI") benefits. ECF No. 1. That same day, Plaintiff filed an Application to Proceed in District Court without Prepaying Fees or Costs. ECF No. 2.
Having reviewed the complaint and motion, the Court finds that Plaintiff's complaint does not sufficiently state a claim for relief and has not satisfied his burden of demonstrating that he is entitled to in forma pauperis ("IFP") status. Accordingly, Plaintiff's Application to Proceed in District Court without Prepaying Fees or Costs is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, and the complaint is DISMISSED WITH LEAVE TO AMEND. ///
Application to Proceed in District Court without Prepaying Fees or Costs
All parties instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the United States, except an application for a writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiff's failure to prepay the entire fee only if she is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), which states:
[A]ny court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding ... without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such [person] possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.
The determination of indigency falls within the district court's discretion. California Men's Colony v. Rowland, 939 F.2d 854, 858 (9th Cir. 1991), reversed on other grounds by, 506 U.S. 194 (1993) ("Section 1915 typically requires the reviewing court to exercise its sound discretion in determining whether the affiant has satisfied the statute's requirement of indigency."). It is well-settled that a party need not be completely destitute to proceed IFP. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). To satisfy the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), "an affidavit [of poverty] is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security for costs ... and still be able to provide for himself and dependents with the necessities of life." Id. at 339. At the same time, "the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, ... the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own oar." Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F. Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984). District courts tend to reject IFP applications where the applicant can pay the filing fee with acceptable sacrifice to other expenses. See, e.g., Allen v. Kelley, 1995 WL 396860, at *2 (N.D. Cal. 1995) (Plaintiff initially permitted to proceed IFP, later required to pay $ 120 filing fee out of $ 900 settlement proceeds); Ali v. Cuyler, 547 F. Supp. 129, 130 (E.D. Pa. 1982) (IFP application denied because the plaintiff possessed savings of $ 450 and that was more than sufficient to pay the $60 filing fee). Moreover, the facts as to the affiant's poverty must be stated "with some particularity, definiteness, and certainty." United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981).
Plaintiff has not satisfied his burden of demonstrating that he is entitled to IFP status. According to his affidavit in support of application, Plaintiff is employed making $288 per month. ECF No. 2. He states that he receives food stamps and help from the state and California Victim Compensation Board ("CalVCB"), but does not provide the amount of those benefits. Id., at 5. Plaintiff states that he has two dependent children but does not state whether he is married, whether the children live with him, and whether he receives (or pays) child support or alimony. Id., at 1-5. If Plaintiff is married, he has not provided any of the required information regarding his spouse's assets. Id. Plaintiff does not state whether he has a checking or savings account or how much money is in those accounts. Id., at 2. Plaintiff identifies car and home expenses but does not state whether he owns a vehicle or home and does not provide the required information regarding those assets. Id., at 4. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff has not established that he is unable to pay the $400 filing fee. Accordingly, Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. If Plaintiff files an amended Application, he must answer all questions in accordance with the instructions set forth on the first page of the form.
SUA SPONTE SCREENING PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) and § 1915(a)
Complaints filed by any person proceeding IFP pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) are subject to a mandatory sua sponte screening by the Court. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127 (9th Cir. 2000); see also Alamar v. Social Security, 2019 WL1258846, at *3 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 19, 2019). A complaint should be dismissed sua sponte if it is (1) "frivolous or malicious;" (2) "fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted;" or (3) "seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief." See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1126-27.
To survive, all complaints must contain "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). "[T]he pleading standard Rule 8 announces does not require 'detailed factual allegations,' but it demands more than an unadorned, the-defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me-accusation." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Furthermore, "recitals of elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements do not suffice." Id. Instead, the plaintiff must state a claim that is plausible on its face, meaning "the pleaded factual content allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (2009) (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556, 570)). "When there are well-pleaded factual allegations, a court should assume their veracity, and then determine whether they plausibly give rise to an entitlement to relief." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679. Social security appeals are not exempt from the general screening requirements for IFP cases proceeding under § 1915(e). Montoya v. Colvin, 2016 WL 890922, at *2 (D. Nev. Mar. 8, 2016) (citing Hoagland v. Astrue, 2012 WL 2521753, *1 (E.D. Cal. June 28, 2012)).
In the context of a social security appeal, courts within the Ninth District have established four elements necessary for a complaint to survive a sua sponte screening:
First, the plaintiff must establish that she has exhausted her administrative remedies pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), and that the civil action was commenced within sixty days after notice of a final decision. Second, the complaint must indicate the judicial district in which the plaintiff resides. Third, the complaint must state the nature of the plaintiff's disability and when the plaintiff claims she became disabled. Fourth, the complaint must contain a plain, short, and concise statement identifying the nature of the plaintiff's disagreement with the determination made by the Social Security Administration and show that the plaintiff is entitled to relief.Skylar v. Saul, 2019 WL 4039650, *1 (S.D. Cal. Aug. 27, 2019) (quoting Montoya, 2016 WL 890922 at *2). With regard to element four, a complaint is insufficient if it merely states that the Commissioner was wrong in denying a plaintiff benefits. See id.; see also Hoagland, 2012 WL 2521753 at *3 ("Every plaintiff appealing an adverse decision of the Commissioner believes that the Commissioner was wrong. The purpose of the complaint is to briefly and plainly allege facts supporting the legal conclusion that the Commissioner's decision was wrong."). Instead, the "complaint . . . must set forth a brief statement of facts setting forth the reasons why the Commissioner's decision was wrong." Id. at *2.
After reviewing the amended complaint, the Court finds that Plaintiff has adequately alleged facts sufficient to survive sua sponte screening as to the second, third, and fourth elements. Plaintiff states that he resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of this Court in San Diego, CA. ECF No. 1-1, at 1. Plaintiff also sufficiently states the nature of his disability and the date he became disabled. Plaintiff advises this Court that he became disabled on August 3, 2018 and that he has impairments which include "radio sensory neuropathy in [his] left arm and back spasms in [his] center and right side of [his] back." ECF No. 1, at 2. Further, Plaintiff includes a plain, short, and concise statement identifying the nature of his disagreement with the determination made by the Social Security Administration that shows the Plaintiff is entitled to relief. Plaintiff advises this Court that, "[he] was denied by the SSA" because "some random Lady (not a medical professional) over a telephonic court hearing call" stated that he could "work using both [his] arms or just one" and that he "begged [sic] to differ" because "some days [he] can't left [sic] [his] left arm for a few hours at a time due to the pain [being] so great." Id.
Plaintiff's complaint, however, does not satisfy the first element. Plaintiff has not established that he exhausted his administrative remedies pursuant to 42 U.S.C § 405(g) or that this civil action was commenced within sixty days after notice of a final decision from the Commissioner. ECF No. 1. Accordingly, Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED WITH LEAVE TO AMEND. If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, he must add information establishing that he exhausted his administrative remedies pursuant to 42 U.S.C § 405(g) and that this civil action was commenced within sixty days after notice of a final decision from the Commissioner.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 4/21/2021
/s/_________
Hon. Barbara L. Major
United States Magistrate Judge