Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-01087/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-01087-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:0405id Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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17cv1087-GPC(JLB)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHAEL PUNI ULUGALU,

Plaintiff,

v.

NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting 

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No.: 17cv1087-GPC(JLB)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

MOTION FOR LEAVE TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

AND ORDERING PAYMENT OF 

PARTIAL FILING FEE

On May 26, 2017, Plaintiff Michael Puni Ulugalu (“Plaintiff”), proceeding with 

counsel, filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). 

(Dkt. No. 3.) 

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

United States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 

$400. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a).1 An action may proceed despite a plaintiff’s failure to 

 

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In addition to the $350 statutory fee, civil litigants must pay an additional administrative fee of $50. 

See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a) (Judicial Conference Schedule of Fees, District Court Misc. Fee Schedule, § 14 

(eff. Dec. 1, 2014)). The additional $50 administrative fee does not apply to persons granted leave to 

proceed IFP. Id.

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prepay the entire fee only if he is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to § 1915(a). See 

Andrews v. Cervantes, 493 F.3d 1047, 1051 (9th Cir. 2007); Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 

F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). The plaintiff must submit an affidavit demonstrating his 

inability to pay the filing fee, and the affidavit must include a complete statement of the 

plaintiff’s assets. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). The facts as to the affiant's poverty must be 

stated “with some particularity, definiteness, and certainty.” United States v. McQuade,

647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981). 

“Courts have discretion to impose partial filing fees under the in forma pauperis 

statute.” Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109, 111 (9th Cir. 1995). District courts may 

impose a partial filing fee “when it is economically feasible for an IFP plaintiff to pay it . 

. . .” Stehouwer v. Hennessey, 841 F. Supp. 316, 321 (N.D. Cal. 1994), vacated in part 

on other grounds, Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109 (9th Cir. 1995). In assessing the 

amount of a partial filing fee, district courts may consider Plaintiff’s own economic 

choices about how he spends his money on nonessentials. Olivares, 59 F.3d at 112 

(district judge was entitled to consider prisoner Plaintiffs’ economic choices of 

purchasing name brand toiletries instead of generic toiletries provided by the prison, and 

also “crackers, potato chips, corn chips, cookies and candy”); Alexander v. Carson Adult 

High School, 9 F.3d 1448, 1449 (9th Cir. 1993) (“the court may consider the plaintiff's 

cash flow in the recent past, and the extent to which the plaintiff has depleted his savings 

on nonessentials.”). 

Here, Plaintiff submitted a declaration reporting that he is not presently employed 

and that he has not worked since December 2010. (Dkt. No. 3. at 2.) He declares that he 

receives money from “significant other works” in the amount of $2,400 per month. (Id.) 

He has a Navy Federal checking account with a reported balance of “$200 avg. (wife).” 

(Id.) He owns a 2006 Suburban vehicle. (Id.) He does not report having any other 

property or assets. (Id. at 3.) He has a three year old son and one year old son who are

dependent on him. (Id.) He claims a total of $2375 in living expenses which results in a 

$25.00 per month surplus. (Id.) Living expenses include $375 in toiletries, $60 for 

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internet and $500 for gas. (Id.) Plaintiff has not provided details as to each of these 

expenses. On its face, some of these expenses appear to be excessive and/or may 

constitute nonessential items which may be sacrificed in order to pay a partial filing fee. 

Due Plaintiff’s monthly surplus income and recognizing Plaintiff’s economic 

circumstances, the Court concludes that Plaintiff can afford to pay a partial filing fee. 

See Civ. Local R. 3.2(d). Thus, Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to proceed IFP and 

ORDERS a partial filing fee of $150.00. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: June 20, 2017

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