Mcdougal v. Commissioner of Social Security, No. 5:2020cv00965 - Document 27 (N.D.N.Y 2022)

Court Description: AMENDED DECISION & ORDER re 22 MOTION for Attorney Fees Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C Sect. 2412 filed by Matthew Brent Mcdougal. Having examined the parties' filings and counsels billing record, the Court finds that the fees sought are recoverable and reasonable. The Plaintiffs motion for attorneys fees and costs, dkt. # 22, is hereby GRANTED, as follows: 1. Attorneys fees are awarded to Plaintiff in the amount of $5,940.41; and 2. If Plaintiff has no debt registered with the Department of the Treasury subject to offset, the fees shall be made payable to Plaintiffs attorney. IT IS SO ORDERED. Signed by Senior Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on 4/26/2022. (khr)

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Mcdougal v. Commissioner of Social Security Doc. 27 Case 5:20-cv-00965-TJM-DJS Document 27 Filed 04/26/22 Page 1 of 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ________________________________________ MATTHEW M., Plaintiff v. 5:20-CV-965 (TJM) COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant. _________________________________________ THOMAS J. McAVOY, Senior United States District Judge AMENDED DECISION & ORDER Before the Court is Plaintiff’s request for attorneys fees in this appeal of the Defendant Social Security Commissioner’s denial of her benefits. See dkt. #22. Plaintiff contends he is entitled to attorneys fees and costs pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412. 1 He contends that he was the prevailing party, that the government’s litigation position was not substantially justified, that his net assets are worth less than $2 million, and that the case has ended with a final order. Plaintiff has waived direct payment and requests that any payment be made to his attorney if the United States does not claim a debt that is entitled to an offset against the Plaintiff. The government 1 The Court’s original Order granted Plaintiff $400 in filing fees. Plaintiff has informed the Court that Plaintiff proceeded in forma pauperis and is therefore not entitled to reimbursement for a filing fee he did not pay. See dkt. # 26. The Court therefore amends the order to eliminate the filing fees awarded. 1 Dockets.Justia.com Case 5:20-cv-00965-TJM-DJS Document 27 Filed 04/26/22 Page 2 of 2 does not object to payment of fees and costs and agrees to pay the fees directly to Plaintiff’s counsel if Plaintiff does not owe a debt to the government at the time of this order. See dkt. # 23. Having examined the parties’ filings and counsel’s billing record, the Court finds that the fees sought are recoverable and reasonable. The Plaintiff’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs, dkt. # 22, is hereby GRANTED, as follows: 1. Attorney’s fees are awarded to Plaintiff in the amount of $5,940.41; and 2. If Plaintiff has no debt registered with the Department of the Treasury subject to offset, the fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff’s attorney. IT IS SO ORDERED DATED: April 26, 2022 2

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