Opinion
6:19-cv-01219-HZ
07-06-2022
BRANDI T., Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Defendant.
ORDER
MARCO A. HERNANDEZ, United States District Judge.
Plaintiff Brandi T. brought this action seeking review of the Commissioner's final decision to deny Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance Benefits. On September 3, 2021, the Court reversed the Commissioner's decision and ordered that the case be remanded an award of benefits. Order, ECF 16. Judgment was also entered on September 3, 2021. ECF 17. On March 3, 2022, Plaintiff's counsel received notice of Plaintiff's award for benefits. Pl. Mot. Ex. A., ECF 22-1. On April 26, 2022, Plaintiff's counsel received notice of auxiliary award for benefits for Plaintiff's children: E.P. and K.T. Pl. Mot. Ex. B, ECF 22-2; Ex. C, ECF 22-3.
Plaintiff now seeks an award of fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). Pl. Mot., ECF 22. Defendant has no objection to the request. Id. The Court has reviewed the record in the case, the motion, and the supporting materials including the award of benefits, the fee agreement with counsel, and the recitation of counsel's hours and services. Applying the standards set by Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 796 (2002), the Court finds the requested fees reasonable.
The Court GRANTS the motion [22] and awards Plaintiff's counsel $17,665.60 in attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). When issuing the section 406(b) check for payment to Plaintiff's attorney, the Commissioner is directed to subtract $3,728.74, the amount previously received under EAJA, and send Plaintiff's attorney the balance of $13,936.86 less any applicable processing fees as allowed by statute. Any amount withheld after all administrative and court attorney's fees are paid should be released to Plaintiff.
IT IS SO ORDERED.