UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

STACI LYN CURLEE,

Plaintiff, v. Case No.: 8:24-cv-1966-AAS

LELAND DUDEK,1 Commissioner of Social Security Administration,

Defendant. ______________________________________/

ORDER Staci Lyn Curlee moves for attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA),

. (Doc. 22). The Commissioner does not oppose the motion. (Id., p. 4). Ms. Curlee requests $9,336.87 in attorney and paralegal fees. The EAJA permits awards for reasonable attorney’s fees to a prevailing party against the United States.

. A January 15, 2025 order remanded the Commissioner’s final decision under sentence four of

(g) for further administrative proceedings. (Doc. 19). The Clerk of Court entered judgment in favor of Ms. Curlee. (Doc. 20).

1 Leland Dudek became Acting Commissioner of Social Security on February 16, 2025. Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), Leland Dudek is substituted as the defendant in this action. See

(g). The Commissioner does not contest the following: Ms. Curlee is the prevailing party; the Commissioner’s position was not substantially justified; and Ms. Curlee’s attorney’s fees request is reasonable. A court should grant a Social Security claimant’s request for attorney’s fees when it is unopposed. See Jones v. Colvin, No. 8:13-CV-2900-T-33AEP,

(M.D. Fla. Nov. 30, 2015) (awarding unopposed attorney’s fees request). Thus, Ms. Curlee is entitled to $9,336.87 in attorney’s fees. Attorney’s fees awarded to a claimant under the EAJA can be offset to satisfy the claimant’s pre-existing debt to the United States. Astrue v. Ratliff,

(2010). Following an order, the United States Department of the Treasury will determine whether Ms. Curlee owes a debt to the United States. Ms. Curlee assigned her rights to EAJA fees to her attorney. (Doc. 22- 2). So, if Ms. Curlee has no federal debt, the United States will accept her assignment of EAJA fees and pay the fees directly to counsel. Accordingly, itis ORDERED that Ms. Curlee’s motion for attorney’s fees under the EAJA (Doc. 22) is GRANTED. Ms. Curlee is awarded $9,336.87 in attorney’s fees. ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on April 7, 2025. Aranda. Are he Sarma. AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE United States Magistrate Judge