Opinion
CASE NO: 4:13-CV-01344
04-16-2014
MICHELLE L. MORETTI, Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
NANCY A. VECCHIARELLI
MEMORANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER
This case is before the Magistrate Judge by the consent of the parties. (Doc. No. 13.) On April 4, 2014, Plaintiff, Michelle L. Moretti, through her attorney, Paulette F. Balin, filed a motion for attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $4,096.76. (Application for Attorney Fees ("EAJA Application"), Doc. No. 19.) The Commissioner did not file any opposition to the EAJA Motion.
On April 16, 2014, the parties filed a joint proposed stipulation to an award of fees under the EAJA in the amount of $3,550.00. (Doc. No. 21.) The Court finds the stipulated amount to be reasonable. Therefore, the Court awards Plaintiff $3,550.00 in attorney fees pursuant to the EAJA. This award shall satisfy all of Plaintiff's claims for fees and expenses under 28 U.S.C. § 2412.
Pursuant to the parties' stipulation, if counsel for the parties can verify that Plaintiff owes no pre-existing debts to the United States that are subject to offset, Defendant shall direct that the award be made payable to Plaintiff's counsel subject to the assignment signed by Plaintiff and her counsel, and that the Treasury Department mail any check in this matter to the business address of Plaintiff's counsel. If Plaintiff owes a pre-existing federal debt subject to offset, the Commissioner shall direct that the check be made payable directly to Plaintiff, in an amount equaling the balance of the stipulated attorney fees remaining after subtracting the amount of Plaintiff's outstanding federal debt, and mailed to the business address of Plaintiff's counsel. If Plaintiff's outstanding federal debt exceeds the amount of the stipulated attorney fees, the stipulated amount shall be used to offset Plaintiff's federal debt and no attorney fees shall be paid.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Nancy A. Vecchiarelli
U.S. Magistrate Judge