UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

DEBRA K. BRAUN, ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) Case No. 3:22-cv-02233-GCS ) COMMISSIONER of SOCIAL ) SECURITY, ) ) ) Defendant. )

ORDER for ATTORNEY’S FEES and EXPENSES SISON, Magistrate Judge: This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s application for attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”),

. (Doc. 29). Plaintiff filed the Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to the EAJA on August 1, 2023, requesting $6,899.38 in counsel fees and $32.85 in expenses. (Doc. 29). On August 8, 2023, Defendant filed a Response to Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees Pursuant to the EAJA and does not object. (Doc. 31). Based on the pleadings, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff is awarded $6,932.23 for attorney fees and expenses in full satisfaction of any and all claims for attorney fees and expenses that may be payable to Plaintiff in this matter under the EAJA. Any fees paid belong to Plaintiff and not Plaintiff’s attorney and can be offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt that the litigant owes the United States per Astrue v. Ratliff,

(2010). If Defendant can verify that Plaintiff does not owe a pre-existing debt to the government subject to the offset, Defendant will direct that the award be made payable to Plaintiff's attorney pursuant to the EAJA assignment duly signed by Plaintiff and counsel. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: August 9, 2023. Digitally signed by - . . Judge Sison AVkint €. □□ tyate: 2023.08.09 12:31:14 -05'00' GILBERT C. SISON United States Magistrate Judge

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