Opinion
21cv1961-KSC
11-29-2021
PAULA J.C., Plaintiff, v. KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS [DOC. NO. 2.]
Hon. Karen S. Crawford United States Magistrate Judge
On November 18, 2021, plaintiff Paula J.C. commenced an action against Kilolo Kijakazi, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, seeking review of a final adverse decision of the Commissioner. [Doc. No. 1.] Plaintiff also filed an Application to Proceed with the Complaint in forma pauperis. [Doc. No. 2.]
A court may authorize the commencement of a suit without prepayment of fees if the plaintiff submits an affidavit, including a statement of all his or her assets, showing that he or she is unable to pay the filing fee. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The affidavit must “state the facts as to [the] affiant's poverty with some particularity, definiteness and certainty.” United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir.1981) (internal quotations omitted).
A party need not be completely destitute to proceed in forma pauperis. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-340 (1948). An affidavit is adequate if it shows that the applicant cannot pay the fee “and still be able to provide himself [or herself] and dependents with the necessities of life.” Id. (internal quotations omitted).
Here, plaintiff's Application indicates she is unemployed and has income of $1,131.000 from a spousal death benefit and receives food stamps in the amount of $149 per month. She does not have money left over after paying for food and rent. She does own an older model vehicle. [Doc. No. 2, pp. 1-5.] Based on the information presented, the Court finds that plaintiff has sufficiently shown she lacks the financial resources to pay the filing fee. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT plaintiffs Application to Proceed with her Complaint in forma pauperis is GRANTED. [Doc. No. 2.]