Opinion
3:22-cv-297-jdp
02-07-2023
THOMAS KROSNOSKI, Plaintiff v. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
ORDER ON FEES UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT
Honorable James D. Peterson United States District Court Judge
Pursuant to the parties' stipulation, Plaintiff is awarded $6,534.43 for attorney fees and expenses in full satisfaction of any and all claims for attorney fees and expenses that may be payable to Plaintiff in this matter under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412.
Any fees paid belong to Plaintiff and not Plaintiff's attorney and can be offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt that the litigant owes the United States. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010). If Defendant can verify that Plaintiff does not owe a pre-existing debt to the government subject to the offset, Defendant will direct that the award be made payable to Plaintiff's attorney pursuant to the EAJA assignment duly signed by Plaintiff.
SO ORDERED