Vargas v. Social Security Administration

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO ELIZABETH VASQUEZ VARGAS, PLAINTIFF, vs. Case No. 20-CV-13-KRS ANDREW SAUL, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEFENDANT.

STIPULATED ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (EAJA) THIS MATTER having come before the Court upon Plaintiff’s Unopposed Motion for Attorney Fees and Costs Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (Doc. 23), the Court FINDS that the MOTION should be GRANTED.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that attorney fees be, and hereby are, awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), payable to Plaintiff and mailed to Plaintiff’s attorney in the amount of $1,821.60. See 28 U.S.C. § 2412(c)(1); and Astrue_ v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 598 (2010) CEAJA fees are paid to the prevailing party, not the attorney).

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT, if Plaintiffs counsel receives attorney fees under both the EAJA and 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) of the Social Security Act, Plaintiffs counsel shall refund the smaller award to Plaintiff pursuant to Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10" Cir. 1986).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Rani, Seusogie KEVIN R. SWEAZEA UNITED STAGES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Submitted by:

s/ Feliz M. Martone Feliz M. Martone Attorney for Plaintiff Approved by: Email approval 10/23/20 ________________ Laura Holland Attorney for Defendant