Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-05520/USCOURTS-cand-5_14-cv-05520-0/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 

Case No.: 14-CV-05520-LHK 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

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 

United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

a

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

SAN JOSE DIVISION 

SAUL ALCALAN, 

 Plaintiff, 

 v. 

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Commissioner of 

Social Security, 

 Defendant. 

)

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

)

Case No.: 14-CV-05520-LHK

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

Before the Court is Plaintiff Saul Alcalan’s (“Plaintiff”) Application to Proceed In Forma 

Pauperis. See ECF No. 3 (“Application”). 

 Under the federal in forma pauperis statute, a court may authorize the commencement of a 

suit without prepayment of the filing fee required by the clerk of the court if the plaintiff submits 

an affidavit of poverty showing that he or she is “unable to pay such fees or give security 

therefor.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). However, even if the plaintiff makes an adequate showing of 

poverty, a court may deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis if it determines at the outset “from 

the face of the proposed complaint that the action is frivolous or without merit.” Tripati v. First 

Nat’l Bank & Trust, 821 F.2d 1368, 1370 (9th Cir. 1987); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e); Calhoun 

v. Stahl, 245 F.3d 845, 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (per curiam) (“[T]he provisions of 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(e)(2)(B) are not limited to prisoners.”). 

Case 5:14-cv-05520-NC Document 6 Filed 01/07/15 Page 1 of 2
2 

Case No.: 14-CV-05520-LHK 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

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 

United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

a

 Here, Plaintiff’s Complaint, which seeks review of a final decision of the Commissioner of 

Social Security, does not appear on its face to be frivolous or malicious, nor does it appear to fail 

to state a claim pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3). Furthermore, Plaintiff has 

declared under penalty of perjury that he is not presently employed; that his wife is not presently 

employed; that he has no bank account; that his adult sons pay his monthly mortgage; and that he 

receives approximately $440.00 in food stamps per month. See Application at 1-3. Plaintiff has 

thus adequately shown that he is unable to pay the fees required to commence this lawsuit. 

Accordingly, the Court hereby GRANTS Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma 

Pauperis. The Clerk of the Court shall issue summons. It is further ordered that the U.S. Marshal 

for the Northern District of California serve, without prepayment of fees, a copy of the Complaint, 

any amendments, scheduling orders, and attachments, Plaintiff’s affidavit, and this order upon the 

Defendant. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 7, 2015 

______________________________________ 

LUCY H. KOH 

United States District Judge 

Case 5:14-cv-05520-NC Document 6 Filed 01/07/15 Page 2 of 2