Opinion
21-cv-1439-pp
06-28-2022
CHARLOTTE L. PERKINS, Plaintiff, v. KILOLO KIJAKAZIQ, Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR AWARD UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (DKT. NO. 14)
HON. PAMELA PEPPER Chief United States District Judge.
On June 4, 2022, the plaintiff filed a motion, asking the court to enter an order awarding attorneys' fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act. Dkt. No. 14. The defendant does not oppose the plaintiff's motion. Dkt. No. 16.
The court GRANTS the unopposed motion for award under the EAJA. Dkt. No. 14. The court ORDERS that the defendant shall pay to the plaintiff an award of attorneys' fees in the amount of $1,324.80, in full satisfaction and settlement of any and all claims the plaintiff may have in this case under the EAJA. The court awards these fees to the plaintiff, not the plaintiff's attorney, and under Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010), the United States may offset the award to satisfy pre-existing debts that the litigant owes the United States.
If counsel for the parties verify that the plaintiff owes no pre-existing debt subject to offset, the defendant shall direct that the award be made payable to the plaintiff's attorney, pursuant to the EAJA assignment duly signed by the plaintiff and counsel.