IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

LAURA GRECO ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) ) Case No. 24-cv-1517-SMY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL ) SECURITY, ) ) Defendant. ) ) )

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

YANDLE, District Judge: Pending before the Court is the Joint Motion to Award Attorney Fees and Expenses filed pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA),

and its supplement (Doc. 24). Plaintiff seeks attorney fees and expenses in the amount of $8,300.00. Defendant has no objection (Docs. 24). Plaintiff is the prevailing party and is entitled to an award of attorney fees pursuant to the EAJA. The Court finds that the agreed upon amount is reasonable and appropriate. Therefore, the Joint Motion to Award Attorney Fees and Expenses and its supplement (Docs. 24) is GRANTED; and, Plaintiff is awarded $8,300.00. This award for attorney fees and expenses is in full satisfaction of 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, not Plaintiff’s attorney, and can be offset to satisfy any pre-existing debt that the litigant owes the United States. 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, Rory Linerud, pursuant to the EAJA assignment duly signed Page 1 of 2 by Plaintiff. If payment is mailed, as compared to electronically deposited, it shall be mailed to counsel’s address of record: Linerud Law Firm P.O. Box 5734 Salem, OR 97304

IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: February 21, 2025 Ait Cle STACI M. YANDLE United States District Judge

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