Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-3_04-cv-03037/USCOURTS-arwd-3_04-cv-03037-1/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

HARRISON DIVISION

SUZANNE R. BLAIR PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 04-3037

JO ANNE B. BARNHART, Commissioner,

Social Security Administration DEFENDANT

O R D E R

Plaintiff Suzanne R. Blair appealed the Commissioner's denial of benefits to this

court. On August 22, 2005, judgment was entered reversing the decision of the

Administrative Law Judge and remanding plaintiff's case to the Commissioner pursuant to

sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). 

On September 16, 2005, plaintiff moved for approval of attorney's fees under 28

U.S.C. § 2412, the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), in the amount of $3,243.75,

representing 25.95 hours of service at the rate of $125.00 per hour. Defendant has filed a

response, expressing no objection to this award.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A), the court must award attorney's fees to a

prevailing social security claimant unless the Commissioner's position in denying benefits

was substantially justified. The burden is on the Commissioner to show substantial

justification for the government's denial of benefits. Jackson v. Bowen, 807 F.2d 127, 128 (8th

Cir. 1986). After reviewing the file, we find plaintiff is a prevailing party in this matter.

Under Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 302, 113 S.Ct. 2625, 125 L.Ed.2d 239 (1993), a social

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security claimant who obtains a sentence-four judgment reversing the Commissioner's denial

of benefits and remanding the case for further proceedings is a prevailing party. 

Plaintiff requests attorney's fees under EAJA at an hourly rate of $125.00. In the

past, the statutory hourly rate under EAJA was $75.00 which could be upwardly adjusted

to account for an increase in the cost of living since October 1, 1981, the effective date of

EAJA as originally enacted, or a special factor such as the limited availability of qualified

attorneys. Kelly v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 1333, 1336 (8th Cir. 1988); 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(2)(A).

The Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996, passed on March 29, 1996, amended

EAJA and increased the statutory ceiling for EAJA fee awards from $75 to $125 per hour.

See Public Law 104-121, § 232(b)(1). The $125.00 rate applies to civil actions filed on or after

the enactment date. Id. § 233. Consequently, we find that plaintiff's counsel is entitled to

compensation at an hourly rate of $125.00.

CONCLUSION

Based on the above, we hereby award an attorney's fee under EAJA of $3,243.75,

representing 25.95 hours at a rate of $125.00 per hour. This amount should be paid in

addition to, and not out of, plaintiff's past due benefits. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 22nd day of September 2005.

/s/Beverly Stites Jones 

HON. BEVERLY STITES JONES

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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