IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO WESTERN DIVISION AT DAYTON

EDWARD McLAIN, : Plaintiff, Case No. 3:18cv00257 vs. District Judge Walter H. Rice : Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington COMMISSIONER OF THE SOCIAL : SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, : Defendant.

DECISION AND ENTRY

This case is before the Court upon the parties’ Joint Motion For An Award Of Attorney’s Fees Under The Equal Access To Justice Act (EAJA). (Doc. #13). The parties have stipulated to an award of attorney fees to Plaintiff under the EAJA,

, in the amount of $4,600.00. The parties have further agreed this award will settle any and all claims for fees, costs, and expenses that Plaintiff may have under the EAJA in the present case. Under the parties’ agreement, any fees paid belong to Plaintiff, and not his attorney, and can be offset to satisfy pre-existing debt that he owes the United States under Astrue v. Ratliff,

(2010). If counsel for the parties can verify that Plaintiff owes no pre- existing debt subject to offset, Defendant shall direct that this EAJA award be made payable to Plaintiff's attorney pursuant to an assignment duly signed by Plaintiff and counsel.

Accordingly, the Court hereby ORDERS that: l. The Parties’ Joint Motion For An Award Of Attorney’s Fees Under The Equal Access To Justice Act,

(Doc. #13) is GRANTED, and the Commissioner shall pay Plaintiffs attorney fees, costs, and expenses in the total amount of $4,600,00; 2. Counsel for the parties shall verify, within thirty days of this Decision and Order, whether or not Plaintiff owes a pre-existing debt to the United States that is subject to offset. If no such pre-existing debt exists, the Commissioner shall direct that this EAJA award is made payable to Plaintiff's attorney; and 3. The case remains terminated on the docket of this Court.

(hi we, Walter H. Rice United States District Judge