Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01167/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01167-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (DIWC)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAYMOND AFFONSO,

Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Acting Commissioner Of Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:15-cv-01167-SMS

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION 

TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

(Doc. 5) 

On July 29, 2015, the Court denied Plaintiff Raymond Affonso’s application to proceed in 

forma pauperis. Doc. 4. Because the application was vague and incomplete, the Court could not 

evaluate whether Plaintiff was sufficiently impoverished to justify proceeding without paying the 

filing fee for his lawsuit. Doc. 3. Plaintiff has since submitted an amended application.

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 Doc. 5. 

Section 1915(a) provides that the Court “may authorize the commencement . . . of any suit . . 

. without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes 

a statement of all assets such [person] . . . possesses that the person is unable to pay such fees or give 

security therefor.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). A plaintiff “need not be absolutely destitute to obtain 

benefits of the in forma pauperis statute. Nonetheless, a plaintiff seeking IFP status must allege

poverty with some particularity, definiteness and certainty.” Escobedo v. Applebees, 787 F.3d 1226, 

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Like his July 27, 2015 application, Plaintiff’s application again did not include an answer to 

Question 2.b. Docs. 3, 5. The Court did not note the earlier omission in its July 29, 2015 order. 

Doc. 4.

Case 1:15-cv-01167-GSA Document 6 Filed 08/13/15 Page 1 of 2
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1234 (quotations and citations omitted). 

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the 2015 poverty guideline for 

a one person household is $11,770 and a two-person household is $15,930.

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 Department of Health 

and Human Services, 2015 Poverty Guidelines, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm (last 

visited August 13, 2015); Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines, 80 Fed. Reg. 3236

(January 22, 2015). In this case, Plaintiff reported receiving long term disability in the amount of 

$1,294.00 per month,

3 which translates to $15,528 per year. Plaintiff also reported that his wife, a 

dependent, receives disability income of $920.00 per month, which translates to $11,040.00 per year. 

Doc. 5. Under a one person or two-person household, Plaintiff’s income level is above the poverty 

guideline. 

Consequently, the Court is not of the view that Plaintiff’s financial status—as reflected by income, 

personal and real property —is that of an indigent. 

Accordingly, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis. Plaintiff 

shall pay the filing fee to the Clerk of the Court within thirty (30) days of this order. If Plaintiff does 

not pay the filing fee or submit an amended application, the Court shall dismiss the case for lack of 

prosecution without further notice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 13, 2015 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

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These poverty guidelines apply to those residing in the 48 contiguous states and the District of 

Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015 Poverty 

Guidelines, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm (last visited August 13, 2015); Annual

Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines, 80 Fed. Reg. 3236 (January 22, 2015). 

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Plaintiff’s declaration states “$1,2940.00.” Doc. 5. 

Case 1:15-cv-01167-GSA Document 6 Filed 08/13/15 Page 2 of 2