Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00380/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00380-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:0402 Social Security Benefits

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18cv380-WQH-NLS

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TRAVIS MORGAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting 

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No.: 18cv380-WQH-NLS

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

On February 20, 2018, Plaintiff Travis Morgan initiated this action by filing a 

Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405, a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, and a 

motion to appoint counsel. (ECF Nos. 1-3). 

I. Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

All parties instituting a civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the 

United States, other than a petition for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 

$400.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a); S.D. Cal. CivLR 4.5. An action may proceed despite a 

party’s failure to pay only if the party is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant 

to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). “To 

proceed in forma pauperis is a privilege not a right.” Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 

(9th Cir. 1965).

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The Affidavit filed by Plaintiff states that he is unable to pay the costs of these 

proceedings and is entirely reliant on government assistance due to a progressive and 

incurable disease. Plaintiff is unemployed and has a monthly income of around $200.00. 

After review of Plaintiff’s motion and affidavit, the Court concludes that Plaintiff cannot 

afford to pay the costs of these proceedings and is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

II. Initial Screening 

A complaint filed by any person proceeding in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a) is also subject to mandatory review and sua sponte dismissal to the extent it “is 

frivolous or malicious; fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or seeks 

monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 

1915(e)(2)(B); see Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The 

standard used to evaluate whether a complaint states a claim is a liberal one, particularly 

when the action has been filed pro se. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106 (1976). 

However, even a “liberal interpretation . . . may not supply elements of the claim that were 

not initially pled.” Ivey v. Bd. of Regents of the Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th 

Cir. 1982). “[P]ro se litigants are bound by the rules of procedure.” Ghazali v. Moran, 46 

F.3d 52, 54 (9th Cir. 1995). Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 provides that “[a] pleading 

that states a claim for relief must contain ... a short and plain statement of the claim showing 

that the pleader is entitled to relief....” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). 

Upon review of the Complaint, the Court concludes that Plaintiff’s Complaint 

adequately states a claim for judicial review of a social security benefits decision for 

purposes of the sua sponte screening required under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Plaintiff is 

therefore automatically entitled to U.S. Marshal service on his behalf. See Lopez, 203 F.3d 

at 1126-27; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) (“The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process, 

and perform all duties in [IFP] cases.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(2) (providing that “service be 

effected by a United States marshal, deputy United States marshal, or other officer specially 

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appointed by the court . . . when the plaintiff is authorized to proceed in forma pauperis

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.”).

III. Conclusion

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis is 

GRANTED. (ECF No. 2). The Clerk of Court shall issue a summons and provide Plaintiff 

with the summons, certified copies of both this Order and the complaint, and a blank U.S. 

Marshal Form 285. Plaintiff shall complete the U.S. Marshal Form 285, and forward the 

Form 285 and the designated copies of this Order and the complaint to the U.S. Marshal. 

The U.S. Marshal shall serve a copy of the complaint and summons upon Defendant as 

directed by Plaintiff on the U.S. Marshal Form 285.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all matters arising in this social security case are 

referred to the Honorable Nita L. Stormes, United States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 72.1(c). 

Dated: March 5, 2018

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