Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-6_04-cv-06133/USCOURTS-arwd-6_04-cv-06133-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 865
Nature of Suit: Social Security - RSI (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:405g Review of HHS Decision (RSI)

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

Michael J. Astrue became the Social Security Commissioner on February 12, 2007. Pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of 1

 the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Michael J. Astrue has been substituted for acting Commissioner Jo Anne

 B. Barnhart as the defendant in this suit.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

HOT SPRINGS DIVISION

RAMONA CHILDS COGGINS PLAINTIFF

v. CIVIL NO. 04-6133

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner 1

Social Security Administration DEFENDANT

ORDER

Before the court is counsel’s request for approval of attorney’s fees in the amount of

$4,649.50, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b). (Doc. # 18). Plaintiff’s counsel requests 25% of her

past-due benefits based upon a contingency-fee agreement. (Doc. # 20 Exhibit B). Defendant

responded that she has no objection to the fee award and believes the request for 25% of

plaintiff’s past-due benefits is reasonable. (Doc. # 21).

Procedural Background:

Plaintiff Ramona Childs Coggins appealed the Commissioner's denial of Supplemental

Security Income (SSI) benefits to this court. On October 21, 2005, this court entered judgment

(Doc. # 12) remanding plaintiff’s case to the Commissioner pursuant to sentence four of 42

U.S.C. § 405(g) for further proceedings. Plaintiff’s counsel moved for an award of fees under

28 U.S.C. § 2412, the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). (Doc. # 13). Counsel’s request was

granted on November 15, 2005, awarding fees and costs under the EAJA in the amount of

Case 6:04-cv-06133-JRM Document 22 Filed 02/23/07 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: <pageID>
AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

Unlike Title II of the Social Security Act which is an insurance program, Title XVI is a welfare program enacted 2

 to provide benefits to financially needy individuals who are aged, blind or disabled regardless of their insured

 status.

2

$2,775.00, to be paid in addition to, and not out of, any past-due benefits which plaintiff may be

awarded in the future. (Doc. # 17). Following remand, the ALJ issued a favorable decision on

July 28, 2006, finding plaintiff entitled to SSI benefits. (Doc. # 20, Exhibit A).

Conclusion:

As stated above, plaintifffiled for and was granted SSI benefits. In Bowen v. Galbreath,

2

485 U.S. 74, 74 (1988), the Court held that a district court does not have the authority to order

the Commissioner to withhold a portion of past-due SSI benefits for payment of attorney’s fees

received in judicial proceedings under Title XVI. Therefore, plaintiff’s counsel’s petition for

attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 23 day of February 2007. rd

/s/ J. Marschewski 

 HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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