Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01105/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01105-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:205 Denial Social Security Benefits

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY MACREEN ROMERO,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:14-cv-01105-SAB

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

ECF NO. 2

On July 14, 2014, Plaintiff Larry Macreen Romero (“Plaintiff”) filed the complaint in this 

action seeking judicial review of the final decision of Defendant Commissioner of Social 

Security (“Defendant”) denying Plaintiff’s application for benefits under the Social Security Act. 

(ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis without prepayment of 

the filing fee on the same day. (ECF No. 2.)

In order to proceed in court without prepayment of the filing fee, Plaintiff must submit an 

affidavit demonstrating that he “is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a)(1). In assessing whether a certain income level meets the poverty threshold under 

Section 1915(a)(1), courts look to the federal poverty guidelines developed each year by the 

Department of Health and Human Services. See, e.g., Lint v. City of Boise, No. CV09-72-SEJL, 2009 WL 1149442, at *2 (D. Idaho Apr. 28, 2009) (and cases cited therein).

/ / /

Case 1:14-cv-01105-SAB Document 3 Filed 07/16/14 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

Plaintiff’s application states that the only other persons dependent upon him for support 

are his wife and daughter. The 2014 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states for a 

household of three is $19,790.00. 2014 Poverty Guidelines, 

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfm (last visited July 16, 2014).

Plaintiff states that he receives $1,650 a month in Federal Social Security and his wife 

makes $2,100 a month. Accordingly, Plaintiff reported $45,000 in annual income.

Plaintiff also identified $3,224.00 in monthly expenses, $775 of which goes to a Chapter 

13 bankruptcy and the Franchise Tax Board (for undisclosed reasons). This amounts to $38,688 

in annual expenses.

Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis demonstrates that Plaintiff is able to 

pay the $400.00 filing fee in this action as his reported annual income is significantly higher than 

his reported annual expenses. Moreover, Plaintiff’s income is substantially higher than the 2014 

Poverty Guidelines.

Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff is not eligible to proceed in forma

pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s 

application to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED and Plaintiff shall pay the $400.00 filing fee 

within thirty (30) days. If the filing fee is not paid within thirty (30) days, this action will be 

dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 16, 2014 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01105-SAB Document 3 Filed 07/16/14 Page 2 of 2