Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-01008/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-01008-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:402 Social Security Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KAREN M. GONZALES,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL 

SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:21-cv-01008-ADA-HBK

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS, GRANTING 

PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS 

FEES UNDER THE EQUAL ACCESS TO 

JUSTICE ACT

(ECF Nos. 28, 30)

Plaintiff Karen M. Gonzales (“Plaintiff”) initiated this action seeking judicial review of a 

final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. (ECF No. 1). This matter was referred to a 

United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302(c)(15). 

On December 13, 2022, the assigned Magistrate Judge issued findings and 

recommendations recommending that Plaintiff’s motion for attorney fees pursuant to the Equal 

Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412, be granted. (ECF No. 30). The findings and 

recommendations contained a notice that any objections were due within fourteen days. (Id. at 1, 

3). As of the date of this order no objections have been filed, and the deadline for doing so has 

passed.

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C), the Court has conducted a 

de novo review of this case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, the Court concludes that the 

Magistrate Judge’s findings and recommendations are supported by the record and proper analysis. 

Case 1:21-cv-01008-TLN-HBK Document 31 Filed 03/20/23 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, 

1. The findings and recommendations issued on December 13, 2022, (ECF No. 30), are 

adopted in full;

2. Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney Fees, (ECF No. 28), is GRANTED; 

3. Pursuant to the EAJA, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), Plaintiff is awarded attorney’s fees in the 

amount of $7,697.04;

4. After the issuance of this order, the government shall consider the assignment of the 

EAJA attorney’s fees to Plaintiff’s counsel; 

a. Pursuant to the decision in Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010), any such 

assignment will depend on whether the attorney’s fees are subject to any offset 

allowed under the United States Department of Treasury’s (“the DOT”) Offset 

Program; 

b. Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the DOT determines that Plaintiff 

does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of 

attorney’s fees to be made directly to Plaintiff’s counsel, Jonathan O. Peña;

5. Whether the payment of attorney’s fees is made payable to Plaintiff or to their counsel, 

the check will be mailed to Plaintiff’s counsel’s mailing address at: 

Jonathan O. Peña

Peña & Bromberg, PLC

2449 Tulare St., Ste. 320

Fresno, CA 93721

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 20, 2023 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:21-cv-01008-TLN-HBK Document 31 Filed 03/20/23 Page 2 of 2